| Following
the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks POST staff conducted a
training needs assessment to determine how the Commission could
best serve California law enforcement agencies. In addition to
surveying existing training courses, contacts were made with Federal,
State, and local experts to identify the systems, techniques, and
practices, which were necessary to effectively respond to potential
terrorist incidents.
 Based on the training needs assessment POST developed a plan that
clearly outlined the type of training, status of current training,
the intended audience, delivery strategies, and the anticipated
number of persons who receive the training. A training matrix was
developed to identify specific training needs in three categories;
pre-incident, incident response, and consequence management (post-response).
The matrix also identified training needs for specific law enforcement
personnel groups including first responders, tactical response
units, investigative and support personnel, supervisors, managers,
and executives.
SB 1350 (McPherson) was signed into law in 2002. The bill established
the Responders Emergency Act to Combat Terrorism (REACT). The bill
established the Emergency Response Training Advisory Committee
(ERTAC), which would recommend the criteria for terrorism awareness
curriculum content to meet the needs of state and local response
personnel and volunteers.
The bill also enacted Penal Code 13519.12, which directed POST
to establish training standards and develop a course of instruction
that would include content recommended by the ERTAC. The course
of instruction was to address the training needs of peace officers
at a managerial or supervisory level and below who are assigned
to field duties.
The Governor's Office of Homeland Security (OHS) designated the
California Military Department (CMD) as their executive agent for
the management of all training and exercise simulations in California.
In March 2004 the CMD formed a training partnership consortium
that includes POST, the State Fire Marshal's Office (SFM), the
Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA), and the California
Specialized Training Institute (CSTI) to work closely in the coordination
of all first responder training and statewide exercises. The training
partnership members, CMD program managers, and staff from both
OHS and the federal Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP) meet
regularly to work on training issues and needs for the various
first responder disciplines statewide.
POST has received ODP conditional approval for 43 courses. In
addition, POST has agreed to certify all of the ODP courses that
have been presented in California, and those out-of-state presentations
attended by California law enforcement personnel for continuing
professional training (CPT) credit. ODP certification of the courses
allows agencies to use federal grant funds to pay for travel, per
diem, and in some cases, backfill. 
To date, POST has expended more than $3 million to develop and
present anti-terrorism training statewide. Approximately 14,100
trainees have completed various training courses since 2001.
In fiscal years 2004/05 and 2005/06, additional training courses
will be developed and added to the 43 courses that are currently
available. Staff will conduct a new training needs assessment in
2005. Staff is aware of “gaps” in training needs and the new needs
assessment will focus our future developmental work. Additional
emphasis is planned for intelligence collection and analysis, protection
of food and agricultural products, and deterrence and prevention
of terrorist acts. Courses will also be developed to address public
safety dispatcher awareness and the use of the National Incident
Management System (NIMS).
Once the 2005 training needs assessment is completed staff will
begin to locate and/or develop the training that is not readily
available and that has been identified as a statewide training
need. POST training strategy for homeland security however, while
continuing with the development and certification of most response
efforts begun in 2001, will concentrate efforts towards the development
of more “anti-terrorism” programs designed to prevent terrorism
and terrorist activity.
For further information on the POST Homeland Security Training
Program please contact Ken Whitman, Special Consultant, 916.227.5561, Ken.Whitman@post.ca.gov.
Homeland Security Training Program
Executive Office
Linked to this overview are the following documents:
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