THE UNIVERSITY OF FINDLAY

CENTER FOR TERRORISM PREPAREDNESS

CONGRESSIONAL TESTIMONY

BEFORE

The Environment and Public Works Committee

Of the United States

March 12, 2002

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section 1: Transcript of Testimony – Ken Zirkle

Section 2: Overview of Programs Offered

- National Center of Excellence for Environmental Management

- Environmental Resource Training Center

- Center for Terrorism Preparedness

Section 3: Appendix of Promotional Materials

- Centers for Public Health Preparedness
Progress Meeting

- EMS Emergency Response to Terrorism Courses

- Hospital Emergency Medical Decontamination Evaluation and Training

- Bioterrorism Preparedness & Response
Draft of Poster

- Join the Loop: Give Us the Scoop
Draft of Poster

Testimony rendered by President Ken Zirkle,

The University of Findlay,

before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works

March 12, 2002

Mr. Chairman and members of the committee: my name is Ken Zirkle and I am President of The University of Findlay in Findlay, Ohio. Thank you for inviting me here to present my testimony today. I have testimony to submit for the record, if I may do so, and I am prepared to read a short statement. The University currently serves more than 4000 students both at the graduate and undergraduate levels in 60 plus majors. The city of Findlay is located in northwestern Ohio on the I-75 corridor, 45 miles south of Toledo. Shortly after the college was established in 1882, the city experienced a gas, and then an oil boom, thus entering the American industrial revolution with gusto. Industries flocked to Findlay, but by the turn of the century, the wells began to dry up, and some of those industries moved on to other boom towns, leaving behind, in some cases, waste, hazardous materials, and chemical spills to be dealt with by later generations. Findlay was representative of many communities throughout the United States which inherited, and yet continued to create, environmental, safety, and health-threatening situations before regulations in late twentieth century began to track accountability.

Aware of the need for response training and clean-up, The University of Findlay developed one of the first programs in the nation to prepare environmental clean-up professionals. In 1986, we established our National Center of Excellence for Environmental Management. We made a strategic, conscientious decision to offer hands-on, practical education, training, and information transfer services on environmental, safety, health, and disaster preparedness issues to public and private sector clients, both nationally and internally. We concentrated on two specific program areas: Environmental Safety and Health Academic Degrees and Environmental Safety and Health Training and Consulting Services.

The first program grants undergraduate and graduate degrees in Environmental Safety and Health Training. To date we have more than 1000 graduates. Our current enrollment includes on-line students in 19 states. Most of our students are employed before they graduate by corporations such as Honda, Marathon, Owens Illinois, General Electric, the Ohio EPA, and the IT Group, which recently decontaminated the Senate Hart building.

Our second focus is Environmental Safety and Health Training and Consulting Services. We have extensive hands-on training centers in Findlay that offer scenarios including rail car, tank truck, ditch/stream spills, confined space entry and rescue, and additional practical based training scenarios. Furthermore, we specialize in custom designed training programs, offering them at the first responders’ locations using their own available equipment for their response training. Approximately 80% of the training we do is conducted in this manner. People don’t have to come to us – rather, we go to them. In the past sixteen years we have trained more than 50,000 first responders and industry professionals from across the United States, designing programs for Ford, Roadway, and CSX Transportation. We have also conducted training in Canada and Mexico and have translated materials in Spanish.

Recognizing and understanding that the “real” first responders are those who happen to be alongside incapacitated victims immediately at the site of the disaster before emergency personnel arrives, we know that a major thrust of preparedness must be toward the work force. Lives are saved in the first minutes by those on site who have been trained to respond appropriately.

It is, frankly, heinous, but fortunate, that almost four years ago, anticipating the inevitable, our staff felt compelled to include terrorism preparedness as our third major focus. In June of 1999, we established The University of Findlay’s Center for Terrorism Preparedness. At this time the “Nunn-Lugar-Domenici 120 Cities” program was underway, but we knew that there were many underserved populations, particularly the smaller communities, that desperately needed first responder training as well. Our objective, from the outset, was to offer an all hazards, integrated approach to terrorism response training and education programs.

Our foresight has served us well. Working in concert with Dale Shipley, Director of the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, Ohio’s Governor Taft and his staff, The Medical College of Ohio, the Ohio Department of Health, and the Fire Marshall’s Office, to name a few, we have developed programs that prepare firefighters, police officers, emergency, medical, hospital, and school personnel, city/county officials, and public health workers to respond to terrorism incidents as well as nuclear, chemical, biological, explosive, and even natural disasters. We have trained first responders in communities across the United States on campus, on site, and on line to develop fully integrated preparation, response, and recovery programs that can effectively and efficiently combat the terrorism threat to our society.

Further, for the last three years, under grants from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, we have provided 8 different first responder courses to more than 2000 volunteer firefighters in 70 cities on weekends and evenings, the only viable time to work with volunteers.

Well before September 11, The University of Findlay was preparing for terrorism and preparing responders. How have we changed since September 11? We knew we were on the right track; now we know that it’s also a fast track! Our services and our expertise are constantly being sought out. Three examples:

1) the State of Ohio Emergency Medical Services Agency has asked us to spearhead a grant that will offer EMS providers, state-wide, training in domestic preparedness issues such as emergency response, terrorism preparedness, and bio-terrorist response;

2) the Ohio Emergency Management Agency has asked us to “develop and deliver a Train-the-Trainer curriculum for Ohio’s first responders to the threat of terrorism;”

3) our staff has developed an interactive CD-ROM to prepare school employees in the event of terrorist attacks and other acts of violence.

In October we were designated a Center for Public Health Preparedness for Bioterrorism and Emerging Health Threats by the Centers for Disease Control.

Indeed, we are providing what we believe to be a vital cog in our nation’s machine of terrorism preparedness, or to use Governor Ridge’s term, “consequence management.”

Points I’d like to leave you with:

First, as Secretary Rumsfeld has often mentioned, our mindset today is completely different from a year ago. Like it or not, terrorism is a part of all of our lives. And it will be a part of our grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s lives at the very least. Whereas a year ago, the word terrorism and the concept of terrorism peppered conversations of a select few, today elementary school children across our nation hear the word in discussions on a regular basis.

Second, given that terrorism is a fact in our lives, we must do everything possible to prevent it, but yet to prepare for it. Complete eradication of terrorism is not likely, but complete response preparation is absolutely mandatory.

Third, the Center for Terrorism Preparedness at The University of Findlay stands ready to expand and develop its programs. We know that quality response preparation goes beyond the manuals, the charts, the computers. We have created terrorism response models that must have significant impact on our nation. It is not necessary to start from square one. We as a nation must build on what we know and what we have. Ladies and Gentlemen: Based on what we have learned since September 11, we are all on the fast track now.

Thank you.

Kenneth E. Zirkle

President

The University of Findlay

National Center of Excellence

For Environmental Management

The University of Findlay is a private, liberal arts educational institution founded in 1882. Its campus has grown to over 170 acres occupied by approximately 4,500 students annually. The University is a national leader in the delivery of distance-learning programs, primarily through Web-based course offerings.

The National Center of Excellence for Environmental Management (NCEEM) is a multifaceted education, training, and information-transfer program that focuses on environmental, safety and occupational health (ES&H) issues. NCEEM was established as a separate department within the University in 1986 with the initiation of the Bachelor in Hazardous Materials Management degree.

NCEEM’s mission is to develop and deliver effective and practical ES&H educational, training, and consulting programs globally through a combination of the following mechanisms:

· Practical “hands-on” experiences

· Internships and cooperatives

· Various traditional delivery techniques

· State-of-the-art, distance-learning techniques

The University of Findlay is virtually the only institution that integrates ES&H management training with associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs and a nationally recognized Center for Terrorism Preparedness.

NCEEM’s three primary programs:

Academic Programs

The Environmental, Safety and Occupational Health Bachelor of Science Degree Program

· The ES&H bachelor of science degree program was established at The University of Findlay in 1986.

· Over 100 students are currently enrolled in the ES&H bachelor’s degree program.

· The University of Findlay has graduated over 650 students with a degree in the ES&H fields since 1990.

· Emphasis areas include science, industrial hygiene, compliance, and preengineering.

· Internship and cooperative positions are available to enable students to gain practical on-the-job experience.

· A bachelor’s degree completion program that allows students from two-year associate degree programs to complete an ES&H bachelor’s degree is available at many locations throughout the United States and online via the Internet.

The Environmental, Safety and Health Master of Science Degree Program

· The ES&H master of science degree program was established at The University of Findlay in 1994.

· Approximately 125 students are currently enrolled in the ES&H master’s degree program.

· The University of Findlay has graduated over 300 students with a master’s degree in ES&H management since 1995.

· The master’s degree is offered at various locations throughout Ohio as well as online via the Internet.

· The master’s degree program is a blend of science, engineering, and business principles.

Training and Consulting Services

Environmental Resource Training Center (ERTC)

· The ERTC was established in March 1989 and is now composed of two training facilities including: three modern classrooms; on-campus, indoor training facilities; and a 5-acre, outdoor, off-campus training facility on the east side of Findlay.

· The primary focus of the ERTC is “hands-on” ES&H training for private industry, state and federal regulators, firefighters, and university students.

· The ERTC staffs 15 full-time and over 30 field-experienced contract trainers.

· The major strengths of the ERTC include: flexibility, experience, depth of instructional staff, use of “hands-on” training scenarios, and the ability to manage multifaceted training programs conducted simultaneously at various locations across the United States.

· The ERTC has trained over 50,000 people at the two training facilities in Findlay as well as at client locations coast to coast. Over 80% of the training conducted by the ERTC has been custom designed and conducted at client’s facilities. The following are several examples:

Major public-sector clients include:

- U.S. Department of Defense at nine major military bases

- U.S. Department of Energy at seven sites in four states

Private-industry clients include:

- Ford Motor Company–40 plants in 9 states and 18 plants in Mexico

- Roadway Express–47 terminals in 30 states

- LTV Steel Company–2,100 employees in 9 states

- Hundreds of large and small firms across the Midwest

Environmental, Safety and Health Consulting Services

· The ES&H Consulting Services group was established in 1997 and has provided consulting services to clients in Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan.

· The ES&H Consulting Services has a special focus that addresses safety- and emergency-plan assessments for hospitals and universities.

· The ES&H Consulting Services also specializes in on-site bioremediation and phytoremediation projects.

Center for Terrorism Preparedness

· The Center for Terrorism Preparedness for Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Acts and Domestic Terrorism (CTP) was established in 1999 and focuses on providing training and consulting services to the following four underserved populations:

- Public health/medical community

- Corporate safety and security personnel

- City/county officials

- Law enforcement personnel

· On September 30, 2001, the CTP was named by the Center for Disease Control as a Public Health Center for Bioterrorism and Infectious Disease Preparedness.

· The CTP features its own Web site at www.ufctp.org.

· The CTP has over 20 full-time and contract trainers available.

· The strength of the program lies in the CTP’s ability to custom design programs and offers them at clients’ locations nationally and internationally. Open enrollment courses are also available in Findlay, Ohio.

Public Health/Medical Community

Will you, your employees, or your co-workers be able to function effectively in the aftermath of a disaster? Are your loved ones prepared to manage without you?

The specter of terrorism has now raised its face upon the American horizon. During the decade of the 90's, we witnessed the physical and psychological trauma from such events as the bombings of the World Trade Center and the Alfred P. Murrah Building. Now, entering the twenty-first century, we are confronted with Weapons of Mass Destruction. To understand, prepare for, respond to, and recover from this kind of catastrophe, there must be a basic understanding of all types of disasters and their ramifications. Therefore, this Center is committed to providing educational opportunities and services directed towards the vulnerable state created by one's position, environment, or other circumstances.

These courses have been designed for any person or agency personnel that would serve as an integral link to the affected community's infrastructure. We invite you to review the courses that have been developed, keeping in mind that they are the first of many courses that will be developed in the future. We welcome your suggestions, comments, and concerns, regarding these offerings and future offerings. We can better prepare you to respond to your community's needs, if we have feedback on what those needs are. A survey will be sent to each attendee before the course to enable the instructors to provide a more customized approach.

Corporate Safety & Security Personnel

History clearly indicates that catastrophic terrorism can occur in virtually any location, at any time. Never before have we faced the dynamic problems that we are facing today. These include incidents such as sarin releases in Matsumoto and Tokyo, Japan, the bombings at the World Trade Center and the federal building in Oklahoma City and the American Embassy in Kenya and the tragic events of September 11, 2001. All of these events strongly suggest that local terrorism preparedness and response programs are needed.

The Center for Terrorism Preparedness is a leader in corporate safety and security training and education. We have conducted both domestic and international terrorism preparedness and emergency management training for military, intelligence and industries throughout the United States. Training is diverse and includes traditional classroom training, drills for first responders, tabletop exercises, and distance learning opportunities, including on-line education and the use of emerging technologies.

The Center for Terrorism Preparedness is prepared to help you develop and implement all aspects of response to the “all-hazard” incident, including terrorist incidents. In addition, we realize that asset protection is a valuable part of preparedness and staff from the Center for Terrorism Preparedness are recognized the world over for their understanding of all aspects of asset protection.

The CTP also specializes in custom designing training programs, and offering them at client locations coast to coast. Approximately 80% of the work conducted through the Center is performed at our client’s location.

Planning for terrorism must go beyond training courses and drills. Terrorism readiness requires an in-depth, comprehensive approach to all of the details of terrorism, in addition to a broad, overall understanding of the issues. CTP staff members have experienced, first hand, all pieces of the puzzle and can present the wide range of knowledge needed for effective terrorism preparedness.

Our staff can help you develop planning assumptions, establishing a baseline to begin your process. Further program development includes: threat analysis, analysis of targets and their vulnerabilities, analysis and development of your response capability and can help you institute an initiative to train, equip, and enhance your capabilities.

City/County Officials

Vast resources are available for response to a wide variety of incidents. We learn daily of the public and private resources that are brought to bear during terrorist events. However, in the first minutes and hours of a terrorist incident, the first line of defense consists of local officials and resources. For the most part, local resources are well trained. But, lack of common training causes individuals from different jurisdictions to have difficulty when responding together in an incident.

The CTP staff members bring years of incident management experience, from a broad range of disciplines. This allows us to focus on the development, implementation, and delivery of programs to help communities develop a consolidated incident action plan. Our staff understands what it takes to bring together all the key players in a community and help them work toward the goal of effective incident management and the subsequent protection of the public.

The Center for Terrorism Preparedness is a leader in training and education. We have conducted terrorism preparedness and emergency management training for military, intelligence and civilian authorities throughout the United States. Training is diverse and includes traditional classroom training, drills for first responders, tabletop exercises, and distance learning opportunities, including on-line education and the use of emerging technologies.

In addition, The CTP has recently been named as a “Public Health Center for Bioterrorism Preparedness from the CDC. In its role the CTP’s additional responsibilities include research and the development of technology to respond to the rapidly changing bioterrorism response environment.

The CTP also specializes in custom designing training programs, and offering them at client locations coast to coast. Approximately 80% of the work conducted through the Center is performed at our client’s location.

One of the primary training programs currently offered by the CTP is a 16-hour countywide Terrorism Threat Assessment Workshop. All of the key players within the county are gathered at a convenient location for two-days of intense, facilitated sessions, designed to get everyone on common ground and introduce the group to consolidated planning. Part of the cost of the training is picked up by grants to the Center for Terrorism Preparedness.

We invite you to look at the schedule of available open enrollment training classes described below. As mentioned earlier, the CTP is fully capable of developing and implementing customized programs and conducting the training at your facility.

Law Enforcement Personnel

No words can truly describe the tragedy that occurred on September 11, 2001. The images of the destruction of the World Trade Center are extremely powerful and will forever be etched in our memories. The tremendous emotions stirred in every American as a result this tragic incident cannot be denied as well.

We have learned much from the tragic events of September11. For example, we now know that we will not only see more acts of terrorism in the future, but we will see these acts grow more destructive and more difficult to combat as well. And we have also been reminded that no area of the country is safe. Terrorism can strike anywhere.

The Center for Terrorism Preparedness (CTP) is addressing these concerns and fears by providing training to the law enforcement community that focuses on preventing acts of terrorism, as well as defending against such acts should prevention fail. The training offered is both practical and hands-on. In addition, the courses are taught by current and former law enforcement officers with many years of professional law enforcement experience in a variety of police disciplines.

CTP’s staff understands the problems facing today’s law enforcement professional and his attempt to combat terrorism. To accomplish this task, the staff has developed a program that attempts to reduce our country’s vulnerability to devastating acts of terrorism by providing a wide range of diverse training, which includes traditional classroom instruction as well as practical exercises.

The CTP also specializes in custom designing training programs, and offering them at client locations coast to coast. Approximately 80% of the work conducted through the Center is performed at our client’s location.

Through it’s training, CTP can provide the responding officer the skills necessary to identify and survive a terrorist incident as well as to identify and investigate the terrorist himself. The CTP staff can also provide the law enforcement community with the understanding to identify and deal with the unique emotional characteristics experienced by individuals involved in traumatic events and crisis.

First Responders

“The rules have changed”, and your response must adapt to this new type of warfare. Fire, police, EMS, and HazMat personnel have been and will continue to be the front line of defense for terrorist-types of incidents on our own soil. Continuing education is the most effective way to assure a safe response.

The National Center for Excellence in Environmental Management (NCEEM) has long been established as an excellent trainer for first responders. Training in HazMat, incident command, and confined space promotes better responses to other incidents including the “unique” type, i.e. terrorism, clandestine drug labs, environmental crimes, etc. where cooperation between agencies is a must. Through grants from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, HazMat classes many times are offered free to Ohio First Responders. Currently, we are determining if the terrorism classes can be offered under this plan.

The Center for Terrorism Preparedness (CTP) offers courses to first responders under the same general levels of training already established for hazardous materials incidents. The Terrorism Overview course is an excellent awareness level course for all first responders. Operations level personnel should receive the Emergency Response to Terrorism: Operations Level course and technicians will benefit from the Emergency Response to Terrorism: Technician Level course.

Each course gives the participant an overview of current and past terrorist type acts, recognition clues for the various types of weaponry (biological, nuclear, chemical, incendiary, and explosive) and suggested response guidelines. The technician class also explores the use of military and civilian detection devices currently being offered for use in a WMD event. These courses are constantly updated to reflect the current but ever changing climate that we are facing each day. Whether you are training 5 or 500, the CTPs use of qualified instructors (either retired or still actively working as first responders) will assure a fresh and relevant education.

In addition, The CTP has recently been named as a “Public Health Center for Bioterrorism Preparedness” from the CDC. In its role the CTP’s additional responsibilities include research and the development of technology to respond to the rapidly changing bioterrorism response environment.

The CTP also specializes in custom designing training programs, and offering them at client locations coast to coast. Approximately 80% of the work conducted through the Center is performed at our client’s location.

Terrorism in Schools:  Be Prepared, Not Scared!

The threat of terrorism is real and affects all of us.

The University of Findlay’s Center for Terrorism Preparedness has developed a CD-ROM to prepare school employees for terrorist attacks and other acts of violence.  The purpose of this training CD is to ensure proper planning, prevention, and response in the event of a bomb threat or a chemical or biological incident.  The goal is not to frighten, but to educate school personnel on standard techniques that will help to ensure the safety of staff and students.

The CD-ROM is broken down into 10 sections based upon job category, such as teacher, custodian, administrator, and school nurse.  Video scenarios are given for each job category, showing one or more scenes involving a suspicious incident or event.   The result of an improper response is then discussed, and a checklist is given of the proper procedures and preparation for such incidents.  This checklist can also be printed for a reference, and a resource section presents relevant links for additional material.

Teacher

As a teacher, your primary role is the safety of your classroom and students.  In the event of a disaster, you are the first responder.  By recognizing the potential areas of concern illustrated in the following scenario, remaining alert to them at all times, and understanding the proper responses, you can ensure the safety of your students and yourself.

Oxley, Dewine Announce Antiterrorism Grant For The University of Findlay

Washington, December 20, 2001 — The University of Findlay will receive a $1.6 million federal grant for terrorism preparedness training, U.S. Congressman Michael G. Oxley (R-Findlay) and U.S. Senator Mike DeWine announced today.

“The University of Findlay is poised to play a leading role in protecting the citizens of Ohio and the U.S. against terrorism,” Oxley said. “The University foresaw this threat when if formed The Center for Terrorism Preparedness. The tragic events of September 11^th have demonstrated how important it is for us to be able to respond to catastrophes.”

“As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I worked to ensure that The University of Findlay’s antiterrorism program received careful attention during the appropriations process,” said Senator DeWine. “Clearly, Americans are now aware of the very real potential for terrorist attacks.”

The $1.6 million grant was part of the Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations conference report. The Senate approved the bill today, following House passage on Wednesday. Oxley expressed appreciation to Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Ralph Regula (R-Navarre) for his support.

The University of Findlay plans to use the money to further develop its training programs and facilities. The Findlay program has the distinction of being one of only 14 units in the U.S. officially designated as bioterrorism response centers by the Centers for Disease Control.

“The University of Findlay is working with the Centers for Disease Control and partners in Ohio to fill a critical gap in education and training. As a former FBI agent, I know that the U.S. faces very real threats,” Oxley stated.

“Ohio is fortunate to have a high-quality bioterrorism preparedness training program the The University of Findlay,” said Senator DeWine. “The University is in a prime position to help ensure the first responders to a bioterrorism attack are prepared.”

Oxley and DeWine have a long record of support for The University of Findlay’s terrorism response and hazardous materials program.

The grant will be administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration in the Department of Health and Human Services.

UF/NWTC Partnership Established

Findlay, Ohio, Jan. 18, 2002 — The University of Findlay’s Center for Terrorism Preparedness and the National Wilderness Training Center, Inc., (NWTC) have announced a partnership to provide high quality special operations and tactical training to law enforcement, military and select corporate security communities as it relates to terrorism.

The partnership will provide hands-on, practical-based education and training to develop a fully integrated preparation, response and recovery program to effectively combat the threat of terrorism.

Courses offered by the Center for Terrorism Preparedness at UF give the officer an overview of current and past terrorist type acts, recognition clues for the various types of weaponry most likely to be encountered and suggested response guidelines. All courses are designed with the law enforcement officer in mind and are tailored specifically to enhance enforcement operations when preventing, responding to or countering a critical incident.

		HOSPITAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL DECONTAMINATION EVALUATION AND TRAINING For Response to Chemical and Biological Incidents