Emergency Training

Spaceport America and the Louisiana State University National Center for Biomedical Research and Training/Academy of Counter-Terrorist Education (LSU NCBRT/ACE) jointly held an emergency response preparedness training exercise at Spaceport America on March 10 -13, 2020 for the Spaceport America team and statewide first responders.

The goal of the training course, titled “A Prepared Jurisdiction: Integrated Response to a CBRNE Incident,” was to allow Spaceport America personnel and about 150 first responders throughout the state of New Mexico, the opportunity to cross train and understand the capabilities of each agency.

The training brought together emergency responders from agencies including the New Mexico State Police, the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Army National Guard Civil Support, Las Cruces Fire Department, Sierra Vista Emergency Services, Sierra County Sheriff Office, Sierra County Regional Dispatch Authority, Dona Ana Office of Emergency Management, Elite Medical Transport, other regional responders, as well as Fiore Industries, Inc., Spaceport America’s full-time onsite security, EMS, and fire fighting contractor.

LSU NCBRT/ACE and the New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) also announced a long-term partnership to develop and implement programs that set standards for safe spaceport operations. These goals include reviewing safety protocols for commercial space agencies, coordinating emergency efforts of local and national law enforcement agencies, and developing the proper emergency preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery guidelines.

“As the possibilities of commercial spaceport operations become more and more tangible, we recognize that there is a vital need for high-quality, innovative emergency training to protect our nation’s citizens,” said LSU NCBRT/ACE director Jeff Mayne. “We are proud of the relationship we have built with NMSA and Spaceport America, and we hope that this partnership can pave the way for safety and security in the realm of space travel.”

This general emergency preparedness event is not directly related to any tenant of Spaceport America, but did deal with some of the new and unique aspects of commercial spaceport operations. “The safety of our team, customers and guests are priority one for Spaceport America,” said Dan Hicks, CEO of Spaceport America and Executive Director of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority. “We are confident that the engagement with LSU NCBRT/ACE will prepare Spaceport America as we enter the dawn of commercial human spaceflight, as well as help all participating first responders in improving their emergency preparedness activities.”