First responders train in anti-terrorism tactics

By By Georgia E. Frye / staff writer
March 29, 2003
First responders from 11 Mississippi counties on Friday finished a two-day course designed to teach proper tactics for dealing with terrorist attacks.
Tim Miller, Battalion Chief of the Meridian Fire Department, said the training is crucial to first responders.
Seventy-five law enforcement, fire, medical and emergency management personnel gathered at Northcrest Baptist Church on North Hills Street for the courses. The course called PATRIOT, which stands for preventive anti-terrorism, threat recognition, interdiction and operational techniques will continue through September 2003.
Each session will be held twice in each county in Mississippi.
Reggie Bell, instructor supervisor at the Mississippi Fire Academy, was one of several instructors who came to Meridian for the seminar. He taught two courses that focused on hazardous materials, response strategies and tactics. "On September 11 so many first responders lost their lives because they rushed into the World Trade Center towers. We want responders to rush to the scene, but then we want them to stop and assess the situation before rushing in," Bell said.
Bell said the main goal is to prevent a tragedy like September 11 from happening again. He said they want to prevent terrorism and also teach responders the correct way to react to a situation.
Bell also said he expects acts of terrorism to begin at any time in the U.S.
The courses are funded by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern and Northern districts of Mississippi and are designed for unified training of first responders.
Bell said although many people may not think Mississippi is a major target for terrorist attacks, several places in the state may be considered targets.
The Anti-Terrorism Task Force for the Northern and Southern districts of Mississippi were created shortly after September 11 in response to a mandate from President Bush and Attorney General John Ashcroft.