The ITT team planned, briefed, and preformed four exercise drills on unannounced intrusion alarm, active shooter and then cascading to an improvised explosives device scenario.
The training prepares NSGB for potential security threats and how the installation will defeat such threats throughout the installation. The training involved over 127 players including first responders,, ITT Members, and personnel manning the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
Conducted at the Bayview, first responders were dispatched to an active shooter scenario that then escalated into a “mysterious package” in which Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technicians would be called in to respond.
Sailors with NSGB security department conducted a sweeping maneuver as they entered restaurant, searching for the active shooter and any causalities.
Due to the location of such an event, the drill also required the logistics of evacuating personnel living at Deer Point and ensuring they were safe.
At the onset of an incident, whether it is a natural disaster or an act of terror, the EOC will set up and manned by various departments.
“The EOC is a central point of contact during emergencies,” explains NSGB Emergency Manager, Joe McCullough. “It allows for quick access to people and resources by the Incident Commander, or IC. The requirements to run an EOC vary by installation and group type, but as long as you have a room to use and the ability to contact an incident or accident scene and gather a rapid common operating picture, as well as be able to provide rapid support to the incident commander when they request resources, you have an EOC.”
The final exercise demonstrated to the RTT the installation’s readiness training level and how well NSGB personnel are able to respond and protect the base.
According to NSBG Safety Officer Tim Proctor, Team building is crucial to meeting threats to our way of life and protecting the inhabitants of our installation and that the region's review of the operations and programs is greatly appreciated. The region visit provides a second look at our base infrastructure providing insight to areas needing process improvement or overhaul.
“The reason for conducting drill is for watch stander improvement and to see how and where we can improve their knowledge,” said NSBG Executive Officer, Cmdr. Dennis Mojica. “NSGB need to be prepared to respond to any situation we may have. Unlike any other Navy installation, we have to depend on organic resources, since we really can’t ask for local help for most of a situation that may arise here at NSGB.”
Approximately 2,472 man hours were spent on this valuable training. Overall, training has been effective and safe with no injuries to personnel or K-9s. Training will continue for process improvement and watch teams' training each month to improve capability.
“During the drills, the EOC performed fantastically,” said McCullough. “However as with any drill, we found a few areas that we can improve to make information flow better as well as improving lines of communication.”
The region visit provides a second look at the base’s infrastructure, providing insight to areas needing process improvement or overhaul and provides a path-way ahead in preparation for NSGB's Command Assessment of Readiness and Training (CART) scheduled for March 2017 and for the unexpected should it occur.
| Date Taken: | 08.19.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 08.19.2016 14:53 |
| Story ID: | 207705 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 89 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Naval Station Guantanamo Bay Always Preparing for the Unexpected, by CPO Kegan Kay, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
