Tennessee National Guard partners with local agencies for disaster response exercise

Story by Capt. Kealy Moriarty May 23, 2024 at 11:54AM The Tennessee Military Department hosted the state-wide emergency response exercise, Tennessee Maneuvers, to test the state's ability to respond to disasters. The exercise took place in multiple counties across the state and involved various agencies, including the Tennessee National Guard, Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, and local law enforcement and fire departments. The scenario involved severe flooding in Southeast Tennessee, which led to search and rescue operations, critical site security, communication interoperability, and infrastructure failure response. The exercise also showcased the joint capabilities of the Tennessee Army and Air National Guard, including aerial refueling and transportation of large amounts of fuel. Additionally, the exercise tested various military equipment and water rescue capabilities.

EMS Week: Firefighter paramedic serves others

FORT GREGG-ADAMS, VA, UNITED STATES

05.22.2024

Story by Ericka Gillespie 

Fort Gregg-Adams  

 

FORT GREGG-ADAMS, Va. – Starting out as a lifeguard at 15 years old, Westley R. Connor quickly learned he had a passion for helping and saving people in need.

Shortly after lifeguard training, he recalled a family cookout where his newly attained skills were put into action when an infant little girl started choking.

“I was able to do what I was trained to do and saved that little girl’s life that day,” he said.

After that incident, Connor became a volunteer at his local fire department and continued his training which brought him to where he is today, now 35 years old, as a firefighter/paramedic with the Fort Gregg-Adams Fire and Emergency Services.

Connor Westly stays alert and ready to help out on the Personally Owned Weapons Range as Fort Gregg-Adams Police Officers qualify with their weapons.

Connor says his most memorable moment in his career working in the emergency medical service was the day he met his wife, Christian, who is a physician’s assistant.

“She responded to one of my EMS calls as a volunteer on another ambulance,” he said. “I will never forget that moment.

Today, Connor prides himself in living his life to serve others through working as a firefighter and paramedic.

“I find fulfilment in helping solve problems for others,” he said.

Usually when they get called, it is that person’s worst day he explains.

“We have the ability to change that person’s day whether we save their life, give them reassurance, or educate them,” Connor said. “Helping people is the reason why I love doing what I do.

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101st Airborne Soldier Murdered.

 

Police are seeking the public’s help as they investigate the death of a 23-year-old Fort Campbell, Ky., soldier in nearby Clarksville, Tenn. 

Clarksville police responded to ambulance call at about 8:33 p.m.Saturday on Tiny Town Road where they found Pfc. Katia Duenas-Aguilar dead inside a residence. Her death was ruled a homicide, and the Army Criminal Investigation Division is assisting in the investigation, according to the Clarksville Police Department. Information about the cause of death or the circumstances were not released Tuesday. 

“We are stunned by the death of Pfc. Duenas-Aguilar,” said Lt. Col. Tony Hoefler, spokesman for the 101st Airborne Division and Fort Campbell.

“In the meantime, we will continue to cooperate with Army and local investigative authorities on this matter.” 

Duenas-Aguilar was a member of the division’s Combat Aviation Brigade from Mesquite, Texas, according to the division. 

She enlisted in 2018 as an information technology specialist and attended boot camp and advanced individual training at Fort Eisenhower in Georgia. 

She has been assigned to Fort Campbell since 2019. Duenas-Aguilar’s awards and commendations included two Army Achievement Medals, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon. 

Anyone with information regarding Duenas-Aguilar’s death is asked to call Detective Hofinga at 931-648-0656, ext. 5684. To remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward, please call the Clarksville Montgomery County Crime Stoppers Tips Line at 931-645-8477 or submit a tip online at https://P3tips.com/591.

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New firehouse dormitory opens at Hohenfels

JOINT MULTINATIONAL READINESS CENTER, Germany -- Members of U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria leadership hold a barbecue at the newly renovated firehouse dormitories April 24, 2024 at Hohenfels, Germany. The garrison Directorate of Public Works handed over keys to the Directorate of Emergency Services, who will be better able to fulfill their 24/7 fire and emergency response mission with the new quarters. (U.S. Army photo by Bryan Gatchell, USAG Bavaria Public Affairs)

HOHENFELS, BY, GERMANY
05.16.2024
Story by Bryan Gatchell 
U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria  

JOINT MULTINATIONAL READINESS CENTER, Germany – In a step to increase the community’s emergency readiness, leaders from U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria recently opened the new firehouse living quarters at Hohenfels with a ribbon-cutting and a key handover.

Angela Johnson, deputy garrison manager for the Hohenfels community, cut the ribbon with members of the Directorate of Public Works, who handed over the keys to the Directorate of Emergency Services, who also helped cut the ribbon.

The building provides sleeping and living quarters for the local national firefighter team, who must be on standby 24/7 in case disaster strikes the community. The dormitory is at the site of the former Child Development Center for the community, and it stands across the street from the firehouse with its ready collection of fire engines.

“The Army is investing in the safety and emergency readiness in Hohenfels,” said Johnson at the event. “This building is both the symbol and manifestation of how important the safety of our service members, civilians and Family members is.

JOINT MULTINATIONAL READINESS CENTER, Germany -- Members of U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria leadership tour the newly renovated firehouse dormitories April 24, 2024 at Hohenfels, Germany. The garrison Directorate of Public Works handed over keys to the Directorate of Emergency Services, who will be better able to fulfill their 24/7 fire and emergency response mission with the new quarters. (U.S. Army photo by Bryan Gatchell, USAG Bavaria Public Affairs)

“Our firefighting team has increased recently to better accommodate 24/7 operations,” she continued. “Because of this additional staffing, there is an increased need for long-term dormitories. Disasters can happen at any hour of the day, and our firefighting team requires the facilities to be ready.”

Johnson added that the quarters are an obvious win for the community.

This win was originally conceived in 2017. The conversion cost $4 million, and both the German construction agency (Bauamt) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers came to see the fruits of their labor open.

The building will provide offices for the fire chief and inspectors as well as classrooms to support DES operations. To help consolidate like services in the move, the key section will be collocated in the dormitory building.

After the grand opening and the tour, members of the Directorate of Public Works held a traditional German barbecue of coal-grilled meat on German rolls.

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McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base Fire and Emergency Services chemical emergency response exercise here May 16, 2024.

 

TN, UNITED STATES
05.16.2024
Photo by Tech. Sgt. Teri Eicher 
134th Air Refueling Wing  

Firefighters Devon Hoskins, left, and Jordan Skiles, right, with McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base Fire and Emergency Services, lengthen and straighten fire hoses to be packed away in front of a KC-135 Stratotanker following a chemical emergency response exercise here May 16, 2024. The 134th Air Refueling Wing Inspector General coordinated the exercise to boost preparedness and allow all the units involved to practice their response procedures. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Teri Eicher)

Firefighter Blake Atchley, with McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base Fire and Emergency Services, lengthens and straightens fire hoses to be packed away in front of a KC-135 Stratotanker following a chemical emergency response exercise here May 16, 2024. 

Firefighter Jordan Skiles, with McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base Fire and Emergency Services, examines fire hoses that are ready to be packed away in front of a KC-135 Stratotanker following a chemical emergency response exercise here May 16, 2024. 

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