Kennedy introduces bill to help secure events like World Cup, Summer Olympics

WASHINGTON - Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today introduced the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium (NDPC) Reauthorization Act, which would allow a partnership of organizations to continue providing training for first responders and other personnel at large events.

"Our country has big plans for the next few years, and that comes with an important responsibility to protect the American people. That's why my bill would renew the partnership that trains first responders to keep events like the World Cup and Summer Olympics safe and secure. The National Domestic Preparedness Consortium-with LSU and the state of Louisiana's help-is helping America get this critical job done, and I'm proud to have their back," said Kennedy.

The NDPC is made up of organizations that prepare personnel, including first responders, police officers and emergency medical professionals, for large events like sports games and political conventions.

The reauthorization of funding for the NDPC is particularly crucial, given the United States' plans to host the World Cup and the Summer Olympics in 2026 and 2028 respectively. The NDPC was most recently fully authorized in Fiscal Year (FY) 2020, with the partnership receiving year-to-year funding through annual appropriations since.

Louisiana State University's (LSU) National Center for Biomedical Research and Training/Academy of Counter-Terrorist Education (NCBRT/ACE) is a founding member of the NDPC.

Since the NDPC's 1998 founding, LSU NCBRT/ACE has trained between 45,000 and 60,000 first responders in Louisiana.

"The National Domestic Preparedness Consortium plays a critical role in keeping America safe. It delivers advanced, real-world training to first responders in every state and territory so they are prepared to respond to terrorism, natural disasters, and emerging threats. Reauthorizing NDPC strengthens our national security posture and ensures that the men and women on the front lines have the tools and training they need to protect the American people," said Jeff Mayne, Executive Director of LSU NCBRT/ACE.

Full text of the NDPC Reauthorization Act is available here.