Specialized Washington troopers secure ferry system

The Washington State Patrol is responsible for securing the largest ferry system in the country, which is found in the state of Washington.

In 2006 the WSP identified a need for surge capability of personnel who have training necessary to protect the ferry system when threat levels increase and who provide all-hazards response capability for natural or man-made disasters and terrorist events.

In order to accomplish this, the WSP began transitioning its four Civil Disturbance Action Teams into an all-hazards Rapid Deployment Force concept in June 2007. The four teams received training in counter-surveillance and behavioral assessment and observation in order to better detect potential passenger borne improvised explosive devices. The troopers also obtained training on urban search and rescue in preparation for response and recovery operations in the event of a terrorist attack in addition to civil disturbance related courses.

The patrol added a fifth team to RDF at the beginning of 2008 and continued transition training last summer at the Volpentest Hazardous Materials Management and Emergency Response Training and Education Center in Richland, Wash., including civil disturbance courses, along with weapons of mass destruction courses instructed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Center for Domestic Preparedness. The law enforcement protective measures course addressed terrorist threat and indicators, targets and tactics of terrorists, CBRNE hazards, protective measures, and response actions.

The WMD law enforcement response actions course provided hands-on training in surveying and monitoring, decontamination and triage procedures, and use of personal protective equipment along with scene survey and safety.

Currently 145 WSP troopers volunteer to be members of the five RDF teams strategically located throughout the state.

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