FEMA opens new first responder training complex in Alabama

Federal, state, and local officials have inaugurated the Advanced Responder Training Complex, Building 640, at the Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) in Anniston, Alabama. The 43,000-square-foot facility was built on the site of a former warehouse at the former Fort McClellan, which closed in 1999.

The new complex is designed to enhance training for firefighters, police officers, healthcare professionals, and other first responders facing complex emergencies. The project involved approximately six years of design and implementation, with construction beginning in 2023 after the demolition of an existing structure.

Acting CDP Superintendent Chris Chesney noted that the facility represents a revival of Fort McClellan’s history. The new complex joins existing specialized training venues at the CDP, such as the Noble Training Hospital and facilities for chemical, biological, and radiological training.