NAVSTA Rota Prepares for Exercise Reliant Rumble

Earthquakes can hit anytime, anywhere. It may be a common occurrence in some locations; irregular to non-existent in other locations. The recent earthquake and aftershocks in Morocco is a testament to the fact that even though it’s not “normal” in an area, it can still happen. Months before this recent earthquake, personnel at Naval Station (NAVSTA) Rota have been planning for Exercise Reliant Rumble 2023 which will take place on Sept. 25, 2023. This annual training exercise simulates a significant earthquake that trigger subsequent issues within the installation. “Reliant Rumble is an earthquake disaster preparedness exercise used to evaluate Emergency Management's, Fleet & Family Service’s, and Public Work's ability to maintain facility/base operations as well as the ability to support families during a natural disaster,” explained Lt. Jeff Gao, training officer for NAVSTA Rota. “It is important because this drill will validate contingency measures that are in place in the event such a natural disaster was to occur.”
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Military Firefighters, Unjustly Denied VA Benefits

Military Firefighters, Unjustly Denied VA Benefits – 

How the “Michael Lecik Military Firefighters Protection Act” Might be a Game Changer by Miguel Leyva Sep 19, 2023 

 Firefighters encounter countless health hazards regularly on the job, such as carbon monoxide, asbestos, benzene, sulfur dioxide, particulates, and hydrogen cyanide. Toxic exposure is highly prevalent among these brave people, so cancer is the leading cause of death among firefighters. They are 9% more likely to develop cancer and have a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer. Military firefighters are no exception, as they are exposed to the same harmful agents occupationally. While most veterans injured by toxic exposure that occurred during active duty are entitled to VA benefits such as disability compensation, military firefighters are often denied these benefits. This is because the VA does not recognize the connection between military firefighting and cancer as a service-connected disability. Perhaps the most eye-opening example in this regard is the story of Michael Lecik, a former U.S. Air Force firefighter diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2019. After filing a VA claim for his diagnosis, Lecik was denied the benefits he was entitled to, and in 2021, he passed away. Still, the death of Michael Lecik might not be in vain, as in 2020, the Michael Lecik Military Firefighters Protection Act was introduced by Representative Abigail Spanberger. The primary goal of this bill is to establish presumptions of service connection for diseases associated with firefighting, including lung cancer, multiple myeloma, heart disease, bladder cancer, and skin cancer. However, because the bill did not become law, it was reintroduced in 2021. Firefighters have a significantly higher risk of developing some cancers than the general population. According to a study, they are twice as likely to come to struggle with mesothelioma, a very aggressive cancer occurring on the outer lining of the lungs. The only cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos, which is currently present in approximately 30 million homes and 20% of public and commercial buildings across the country. Military firefighters are exposed to asbestos even more often, as the mineral was extensively used in the military between the 1920s and the 1980s, and it is still present in many structures. The Michael Lecik Military Firefighters Protection Act is currently awaiting to become law. If the bill was signed into law, military firefighters would no longer have to struggle financially due to the high cost of cancer treatment, and we might also witness fewer deaths within this vulnerable demographic. Miguel Leyva is a case manager at Atraxia Law in San Diego, CA. He provides assistance to military firefighters injured by toxic exposure during active duty. Miguel helps veterans with cancer and other diseases gather and organize relevant information about their injuries so they can subsequently file a claim. https://www.courierjournal.net/news/article_a9270706-5438-11ee-841b-2f8c4dfffb8c.html

Emergency management specialist takes pride in helping hometown recover after Hawai'i wildfires

Kenny Amuro, emergency management specialist for the Japan District, and a Native Hawaiian, volunteered to return to his home state to assist in the ongoing recovery efforts on Maui. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is working in partnership with local, state and federal responders following the Hawai'i wildfires.
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92nd CERFP excels in evaluation, showcases Nevada Guard's emergency response prowess

The Nevada Guard’s 92nd Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and High-Yield Explosive Enhanced Response Force Package (CERFP) recorded a rare perfect score from National Guard Bureau officials during its external evaluation Sept. 11-14 at Camp Williams, Utah, highlighting the unit’s flawless preparedness for any emergency contingency.
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22nd Anniversary of September 11th at Camp Arifjan

CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT 11.09.2023 Photo by Claudia LaMantia Area Support Group - Kuwait Spc. Kevin Ramirez, medic, 40th Infantry Division, finishes the September 11th Memorial stair climb at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Sep. 11, 2023. Organized by the firefighter and first responder teams on base, participants go up and down 110 stories in remembrance of the firefighters that went into the World Trade Center towers to rescue trapped victims. (U.S. Army photo by Claudia LaMantia)