This is West Texas, not the Middle East. But should terrorists try anything here, area folks who work as police officers, volunteer firefighters and ambulance attendants will be ready. Another course is scheduled later in Desdemona, population 180, in Eastland County.
Militants blowing up the local post office is unlikely.
But Merkel firefighters don't want to take a chance. Dallas Renfrew, the course's instructor, doesn't see the Aggieness of having a terrorism response class in Merkel. There's a heightened awareness across America as it relates to terrorism. Delbert Russell, a Merkel firefighter, claims terrorists or a madman might target the town because the bedroom community is practically empty of emergency workers during the day. Merkel Fire Chief Steve Cochran said the interstate is a good invitation for terrorists to suddenly pick on a small town because they can get away in a hurry.