As vaccination rates increase and COVID spread decreases, New Mexico Tech (NMT) Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center (EMRTC) has begun reopening residential training courses both on the New Mexico Tech campus in Socorro and at the Playas Research and Training Center (PRTC) in southwest New Mexico.
The first phase is currently being implemented. Both the Incident Response to Terrorist Bombings (IRTB) and the Prevention of and Response to Suicide Bombing Incidents (PRSBI) residential courses in Socorro are being offered according to a scalable reopening schedule involving two phases. In the scalable model, the first phase is a pilot phase involving implementation of health guidelines and protocols that will then be evaluated by program administrators. Through after action reports, the success of the pilot phase’s health protocols and guidelines will be evaluated before resuming residential course delivery in phase two, the general reopening phase.
The PRSBI Tactical resident training course taught at PRTC has been available to first responders since January 2021. Playas, with its remote location, self-contained facilities, and controlled access, has allowed for successful implementation of a “bubble”-type approach encompassing all components of the residential program.
Participant health and safety remains a key consideration while delivering critical information to the first responder audience at both the Socorro and Playas locations. The new protocols and activities involve enhanced instruction and participant safety guidelines including contactless registration and check-in, reduced enrollment (17 participants maximum), COVID-19 screening and testing, expanded cleaning and sanitation, and controlled lodging.
Even with the return to residential training courses, all non-residential courses will continue to be available in a virtual format and can be requested for delivery.
