Photo By Matthew Jones | Pennsylvania National Guard emergency response forces conduct an exercise at Fort...... read more read more
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HARRISBURG, Pa. - The Pennsylvania National Guard is hosting a multi-agency emergency-preparedness exercise called Vigilant Guard, May 7-16, at Fort Indiantown Gap, Lebanon County.
Secondary training events are scheduled to take place in Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lawrence, Mercer and Philadelphia counties.
The exercise is hosted quarterly by U.S Northern Command and is not being held in response to any specific threat. It is designed to evaluate and enhance the integration of local, state and federal responders under one command structure. It will also test the ability of different agencies to provide continuity of services for an extended period of time.
Approximately 2,500 exercise participants from eight state National Guards, National Guard Bureau, U.S. NORTHCOM, more than 20 Pennsylvania state agencies, five federal agencies, and others will react to simulated emergencies, such as terrorist activity, severe weather and infectious diseases, in an effort to protect and aid citizens of Pennsylvania and FEMA Region III, which also includes the District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.
The Pennsylvania National Guard operates a state Civil Support Team that specializes in response to nuclear, biological, radiological or chemical attacks, as well as the region’s Homeland Response Force, which could be called to oversee civil-support operations during certain large-scale disasters.
Media contact: Maj. Ed Shank, office 717-861-8468, cell 717-943-4092
Editor’s Note: The Pennsylvania National Guard will host a media day for Vigilant Guard on Wednesday, May 14 at Fort Indiantown Gap, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Pennsylvania National Guard Public Affairs Office, 841 Engineer Road, Annville, PA. Media will tour the exercise site where first responders will simulate the rescue of civilians from a collapsed building. Pennsylvania’s adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Wesley E. Craig, is scheduled to host a press conference at 10 a.m. where leaders from several state agencies will discuss interagency cooperation and their roles in the exercise. An exercise fact sheet is available at www.pa.ng.mil
| Date Taken: | 05.06.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 05.06.2014 16:10 |
| Story ID: | 128923 |
| Location: | FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Web Views: | 518 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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