Nevada Test Site chosen as terrorism training center

Thursday, June 11, 1998 | 4:58 a.m.

The program, called the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium, will consist of the Nevada Test Site and facilities at Texas A&M University, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Louisiana State University and Jacksonville State University in Alabama.

The consortium will help prepare firefighters, law enforcement and medical personnel to respond to acts of chemical, biological or nuclear terrorism.

"The idea behind the consortium is to pool all available resources that exist around the country," Bryan, D-Nev., said. "The Nevada Test Site will play a large role in this effort. Its size and remote location provide a unique asset for first responder training exercises."

The project will cost about $62 million for its first year.

"Since it may never be possible to eliminate the terrorist threat against us, the nation can no longer afford to be unprepared," Reid, D-Nev., said.

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