Specialized emergency response unit trains to keep commonwealth safe

BLOOMSBURG, Pa. – Members of the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 3rd Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team conducted a training proficiency exercise April 11 at Bloomsburg University in Bloomsburg, Pa. To maintain their proficiency, the team must undergo an external evaluation every 18 months where they are evaluated by a team from U.S. Army North. The evaluation serves as the teams Department of Defense accreditation. (Pennsylvania National Guard photo by Wayne V. Hall)

BLOOMSBURG, PA, UNITED STATES
04.11.2024
Story by Wayne Hall 
Joint Force Headquarters - Pennsylvania National Guard  

BLOOMSBURG, Pa. – The world can be a dangerous place as the realistic potential for terrorist attacks can come at any time and in many different forms.

The Pennsylvania National Guard’s 3rd Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team trains rigorously so they are prepared to respond to a wide variety of threats, at any time or place across the entire commonwealth.

This highly-specialized 22-member unit responds to incidents involving chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear high-yield explosives by identifying substances, toxic industrial chemicals and materials, and disasters.

To maintain its proficiency, the team must undergo an external evaluation every 18 months where it is evaluated by a team from U.S. Army North. The evaluation serves as the team’s Department of Defense accreditation.

The evaluation is conducted in manner that is as realistic as possible, according to Air Force Lt. Col. Jake Derivan, commander, 3rd WMD-CST. It tests the full limits of the team’s ability to perform its mission properly and safely.

In the case of this exercise conducted at Bloomsburg University’s Rober B. Redman Stadium, the scenario is an apparent threat to a collegiate track meet, where potentially contaminated items were discovered on the bleachers and in the press box before a major sporting event.

“Unfortunately, in the world we live in, bad people want to try to do bad things. We're here to try to keep that from happening, or at least mitigate the problem if it occurs” Derivan said. “So, if you have a lot of people together, if there's a sporting event, a lot of times we're there. We’re here for the commonwealth.”

Just as they would in a real-world scenario, the team works through its checklist items as it works to evaluate the scene and neutralize any potential hazards it encounters to eliminate any threat.

“We go in blind to the actual situation,” said Sgt. 1st Class William Amerman, a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) specialist who has been with the 3rd WMD-CST for about seven years.

When the team arrives on scene they conduct reconnaissance, establish their operational footprint and begin coordination with the incident commander, which is often a local fire chief or a senior law enforcement officer.

“We do not take over the situation, we support [their efforts],” said Derivan, who has been part of the team for more than 15 years and its commander for nearly two years.

Unlike the movies or television, the team’s response efforts are deliberately slow and methodical, as the responders work for several hours in an encapsulated suite to keep them safe from contaminants.

“It can be draining mentally and physically,” Amerman said. “But you just got to have the perseverance to push through it and get the mission done.”

Pete the Cat: Firefighter Pete: Includes Over 30 Stickers! Paperback – Picture Book,

by James Dean (Author, Illustrator), Kimberly Dean (Author)

Vermont State Legislators visit with Airmen from the 158th Fighter Wing Fire Department at the Vermont Air National Guard Base, South Burlington, Vermont, April 6, 2024

 

SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT, UNITED STATES
04.09.2024
Story by Staff Sgt. Jana Somero 
158th Fighter Wing  

SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. (April 6, 2024) - The Green Mountain Boys welcomed more than a dozen Vermont legislators, with guests and family for a tour of the 158th Fighter Wing on April 6, 2024.

The visit was for the law makers to get a first hand view of the people and mission of the 158th and to highlight what the wing contributes to the local community and the state of Vermont.

“The folks we had here at the Vermont Air National Guard base today are Vermont legislators which include representatives and senators from across the state.” said Brig. Gen. Hank Harder, assistant to the adjutant general, Air.

During the tour, the legislators were introduced to various departments of the base, including the 158th Fire Department, where they received a demonstration of the fire hose capabilities from their fire trucks. They also visited the 158th Security Forces Squadron, where they were given a weapons demonstration, providing them with firsthand insight into the equipment and procedures utilized for base security.

Following these demonstrations, the legislators participated in a briefing session. This briefing provided them with a comprehensive overview of the base's operations and allowed them to ask any questions they had, further enhancing their understanding of the vital role played by the Vermont Air National Guard in both state and federal missions.

“We have had invaluable contributions from our Airmen, who embody the highest standards of dedication, " said Harder. “Our Airmen serve as a testament to the outstanding capabilities and readiness of the Vermont Air National Guard, reaffirming our commitment to excellence in serving our nation and state."

Harder emphasized the significance of hosting the Vermont legislators. He said that it is not just about fulfilling the base's mission of educating distinguished visitors, but also about enlightening them on the diverse array of responsibilities and tasks carried out by the Vermont Air National Guard.

Additionally he continued, it serves as an opportunity for Airmen to familiarize themselves with their lawmakers as well.

“This tour is for us to get to know them too,” said Harder. “They have a service they need to perform too. They have put themselves out there to be an elected representative for the citizens of Vermont. It's important for us to understand who our lawmakers are and understand the challenges that they have as well.”

The visit presents a unique opportunity to acquaint the Vermont legislators with the base’s ongoing efforts to maintain operational readiness. It also is a way for them to learn more about the base’s state and federal mission.

“Visits like this are paramount. It's an opportunity for a kind of mutual understanding and mutual education of our current operations,” said Harder. “These visits only benefit both the Guard and the state legislators.”

The visit facilitates the opening of a vital channel of communication between the legislators and Guardsmen. This interaction proves invaluable in fostering understanding and collaboration between the two groups.

Harder emphasized the importance of the base visit beyond communication with the state lawmakers. Highlighting the opportunity for him and others to proudly showcase the exceptional dedication and skills of the Vermont Air National Guard’s Airmen.

Harder noted, “We have this team of over 1,000 Airmen doing great things and we want to showcase our Airmen and what they do to our state lawmakers.”

Horse Soldiers: The Extraordinary Story of a Band of US Soldiers Who Rode to Victory in Afghanistan Paperback 

Celebrating military children during MOMC parade

 

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, MA, UNITED STATES
04.10.2024
Photo by Mark Herlihy 
66th Air Base Group Public Affairs  

Krista Burger, left, and her daughters, Riley and Brianna, wave to a fire truck during a Month of the Military Child parade at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., April 10. The annual parade was held to celebrate military-connected children on the installation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Mark Herlihy)

Remote Control Excavator Construction Toy 2×1200mAh RC Excavator Toy with Metal Shovel & Light, 11CH Excavator

Safety Fest 2024 emphasizes risk management at Yokota

The 374th Airlift Wing in conjunction with the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department and Fussa Fire Department hosted Safety Fest 2024 at Yokota Air Base, Japan, March 28.


http://dlvr.it/T5PLq3

Members of the Combat Readiness Training Center Fire Department work to extinguish a simulated plane crash fire during a disaster exercise at Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, Gulfport, Mississippi, March 28, 2024.

 

Members of the Combat Readiness Training Center Fire Department work to extinguish a simulated plane crash fire during a disaster exercise at Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, Gulfport, Mississippi, March 28, 2024. Keesler students volunteered in the exercise, which simulated a mass casualty plane crash that required first responders and airport personnel to respond efficiently, render aid to patients and clear the scene. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kurstyn Canida)

BILOXI, MS, UNITED STATES
04.11.2024
Story by Airman 1st Class Kurstyn Canida 
81st Training Wing Public Affairs  

81st Training Group students recently volunteered in a disaster exercise at Gulfport - Biloxi International Airport, to test the readiness and emergency response capabilities of airport personnel and local first responders.

Team Keesler’s moulage artists supported this event by applying simulated injuries to the student volunteers, who acted as the plane crash victims. The Airmen were strategically placed in locations around the crash site and were given instructions to act out their injuries to test the readiness of emergency personnel.

“Having these live patient volunteers that you can triage, move and load up with different types of injuries is crucial, as it gives a better representation of what responders could face in the field.” said Ryan McClellan, Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center deputy fire chief.

These exercises are a tri-annual requirement by the Federal Aviation Administration and vital to response readiness.

“Our full-scale disaster exercise simulates the worst aircraft scenario we could experience,” John Sharp, Gulfport Biloxi International Airport operations manager explained. “When an accident of that scale happens, we’re experiencing mass casualties, a variety of victims and we have to make sure everyone feels confident in what steps to take.”

Keesler and the local community often collaborate together on emergency preparedness exercises, like the biannual air show. Being able to work seamlessly with different agencies for emergency preparedness remains a top priority.

“The benefits for us conducting the exercise and working with the 23 different participating organizations increases the odds of everyone having a quick, safe response, maximizing our capabilities to save people and protect the environment if a similar real event occurs,” said William Mays, 81st Training Wing inspection team manager.

Collaborating with local responders provided multiple opportunities for Airmen to see how personnel inside and outside the military work together to ensure rescue efforts are coordinated, while also helping them feel safer in the air.

“When people fly, they know we’ve gone through these exercises, and they should be safe in a real-world scenario,” said Sharp. “In the event it happens, we’re going to do our best to be prepared.”

Fire Department Coffee - Veteran Owned - Full-Bodied & Bold Skull Crushing Espresso Ground Coffee - Roasted in the USA - Handcrafted with Premium Coffee Beans