Politics & Government

County Emergency Response Team to Take Anti-Terrorism Course

Lehigh County Municipal Emergency Response Team selected to participate in anti-terrorism training in New Mexico.

Twenty members of the Lehigh County Municipal Emergency Response Team will be heading to New Mexico at the end of the month to take part in a specialized anti-terrorism training program, according to a press release by the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office.

The course, called “Prevention and Response to Suicide Bombing Incidents” is funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. It will be taught by retired police officers and military personnel who have specialized in anti-terrorism prevention and investigation.

The training is available to any first responder, but the Lehigh County team will enroll in training specifically developed for SWAT teams, the press release says. About 40 SWAT teams across the country complete the training each year. The only other Pennsylvania SWAT team to attend the training as a team has been the Philadelphia Special Weapons and Tactical Team.

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All expenses -- including airfare, lodging and meals – will be paid for by the Department of Homeland Security.

Lehigh County’s team applied for the training and got approval from the Lehigh County Emergency Management Agency, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

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