In June of this year I took two courses (ICS 300 & 400) at the Department of Homeland Security's Center for Domestic Preparedness in Anniston, Alabama. I was there on behalf of the Texas State Guard and three of my classmates were members of the Alabama Defense Force, so State Defense Forces are welcome. The class had members from all over the United States representing many emergency response agencies. I highly recommend the Center, the instruction was excellent and the facilities, while military in feel, were very nice. Everyone there made me feel welcome and worked hard to make my time pleasant and educational.
However, every state emergency management agency in the country is probably teaching those every other week trying to bring all the first responders up to speed. So, probably no need to travel very far to find one of those courses.
The Center for Domestic Preparedness teaches dozens of different classes, some of which can be found locally and others only at the Center. They send instructors to local agencies as well as teach in Anniston, Alabama. I just wanted to direct people's attention to the fine work they are doing at the Center and encourage State Defense Force members to reach out to the training being offered. I believe their is also value in meeting and training with people from other agencies and from other parts of the country.
