WHO: Bomb technicians, explosive detection canine teams, and tactical teams from law enforcement agencies across New York State will participate in the Excelsior Challenge. The event also includes participants from emergency medical service providers, New York’s military explosive ordnance device units and public safety agencies from Canada. The Excelsior Challenge receives support from key federal partners, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

WHAT: Media Day at the Excelsior Challenge organized by the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES).

Reporters, photographers, and videographers can view portions of exercises with bomb squads, explosive detection canine teams, EMS providers, and tactical teams in a realistic training environment. Members of the media can also tour the State Preparedness Training Center (SPTC), a world-class facility that regularly provides scenario-based training for first responders and government officials.

Media will view the following exercises: a Brussels inspired terrorist attack in a transit facility, a Paris inspired attack in an urban environment utilizing the SPTC’s CityScape facility (a realistic “mini city” that includes a mall, motel, restaurant and bank), and an EMS call with suspicious injuries that escalates.

WHEN: Thursday, September 15, 2016, 8:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Registration between 8:45 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. Media tour of the SPTC, viewing of key exercise sites, and interview opportunities with experts until 11:00 a.m. Media representatives will be escorted around the facility; additionally, because training exercises are scheduled ahead of time, it is important to arrive promptly for check-in.

WHERE: The New York State Preparedness Training Center (SPTC), 5900 Airport Road, Oriskany, N.Y. 13424. Media attendees must RSVP to be admitted to the Excelsior Challenge. Upon arrival, please drive to the main gate, where your name will be on a list with the security guard. You will then be directed to park in the student/visitor lot on the right. After parking, please enter the main Education and Administration Building. Public Information Officers will meet you at check-in, and then escort you through the SPTC to view active training.

WHY: The Excelsior Challenge gives responders the opportunity to test their capabilities in real-world scenarios on the more than 700-acre SPTC facility. In the 15 years since the 9/11 attacks, New York continues to be identified as the most likely target of terrorism in the United States.

RSVP: Due to the sensitive nature of the training and security at the facility, media must RSVP in advance, making it imperative that media outlets RSVP by Wednesday, September 14. To do so, please contact Chet Lasell at chet.lasell@dhses.ny.gov or (518) 402-6472 with the names of any reporters, photographers, and videographers planning to attend; the media outlet they represent; and contact information. Credentials will be provided at check-in.

View photos from last year’s event here

About the SPTC

The State Preparedness Training Center (SPTC), operated by the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, affords state, local, and federal agencies a complex of training venues to conduct the entire spectrum of training. From classroom lectures and discussions to reality- and high-performance scenario-based training, the SPTC offers opportunities for dynamic emergency first responder training. The SPTC offers agencies realistic training environments such as a simulated city, residential housing complex, collapsed building rubble pile, woodland structures and other settings. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the SPTC annually trains thousands of New York’s first responders, namely law enforcement and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, in a variety of areas including response to active shooter events, emergency vehicle operations, EMS special situations, and patrol officer survival.

About DHSES

The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) and its four offices -- Counter Terrorism, Emergency Management, Fire Prevention and Control, and Interoperable and Emergency Communications -- provide leadership, coordination and support for efforts to prevent, protect against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorism and other man-made and natural disasters, threats, fires and other emergencies. For more information, visit the DHSES Facebook page, follow @NYSDHSES on Twitter, or visit dhses.ny.gov.