Set up, search, decon

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Collins | A search and rescue team from the 440th Chemical Company, Alabama National Guard, Task Force 46, rolls out from a staging area during Vibrant Response 14, Aug. 2, at Camp Atterbury, Ind. Vibrant Response is a U.S. Northern Command-sponsored field training exercise for chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high-yield explosive consequence management forces designed to improve their ability to respond to catastrophic incidents. The search and rescue team's mission is to assess a possible contaminated site and assist in the evacuation of displaced citizens during a CBRN event. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Thomas G. Collins, 27th Public Affairs Detachment)  

CAMP ATTERBURY, INDIANA, UNITED STATES

08.02.2014

Story by Staff Sgt. Thomas Collins 

27th Public Affairs Detachment

CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind. - Various Alabama National Guard units poured into the search and rescue range here in order to conduct missions as part of Vibrant Response 14, Aug. 2.

Vibrant Response is a U.S. Northern Command-sponsored field training exercise for chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high-yield explosive consequence management forces designed to improve their ability to respond to catastrophic incidents.

Honing their skills during the exercise are members of the Alabama National Guard’s CBRNE Enhanced Response Force Package (CERF-P).

“Alabama is unique because they picked a CBRNE Recon Battalion to be the CERF-P,” said Lt. Col. Stephen Messer, chief of exercises with the Joint Interagency Training and Education Center, West Virginia. “Along with the CBRNE element, you also have an Air Force Medical Support unit from a fighter wing in Alabama consisting of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and medics that provide support for the civilians that are rescued.”

Before a rescued civilian can seek medical attention, they first have to be found by search and rescue teams.

“My job as a rescue team member is to survey the contaminated site, check for radiation, general air quality and assist anyone who is wounded,” said Spc. Michael C. Eason, an Alabaster, Alabama, native from the 440th Chemical Company, Alabama National Guard.

Once a person is brought from the rubble they are immediately taken to the decontamination site.

“After the victims are rescued and decontaminated, they are moved to the medical station where they are evaluated and treated for minor injuries,” said Messer.

For this complex orchestration to work, it takes dedicated personnel and time.

“The personnel here still have to maintain all their skills they would in combat,” said Messer. “Everyone of the Soldiers and Airmen have committed to a minimum of 15 extra days a year of training just for this.”

With extra training comes extra confidence.

“In the Army, we are all about exceeding the standard, and this unit is doing that,” said Messer. “This unit is setting the new standard!”

“I feel like we are ready to respond to any situation,” said Eason. “It is an important job, and I feel like there is pride in knowing that we can do it right.”

• Date Taken: 08.02.2014
• Date Posted: 08.02.2014 17:58
• Story ID: 138105
• Location: CAMP ATTERBURY, INDIANA, US
• Hometown: ALABASTER, ALABAMA, US
• Hometown: CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA, US
• Hometown: COLUMBUS, INDIANA, US
• Hometown: MOBILE, ALABAMA, US