Photo By Maj. Robert Taylor | Maj. Jeremy McLean walks through Albertson’s Stadium prior to kickoff Sept. 2...... read more read more
Fans attending the Boise State football game against Troy University Sept. 2 likely saw the Idaho National Guard’s A-10 Thunderbolt IIs fly over the stadium before kickoff. What they probably didn’t see were members from the 101st Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team working on the ground to help keep them safe before and during the game.
For each home football game, the 101st CST works with the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force; other federal agencies located in the Treasure Valley; local law enforcement and first respondent agencies; MAV Event Services; and Boise State University administration, athletic department and campus security officials to provide a safe game day experience for fans.
“Having the Guard down here is huge for us,” said Lt. Rob Gallas of the Boise Police Department. “They are an additional resource for us. They put additional equipment we don’t have into use and it establishes networks with other agencies.”
The 101st CST provides small teams to assist in detecting radiation and chemical threats in Albertson’s Stadium.
“It’s a good opportunity to build relationships with other first responders,” said Maj. Jeremy McLean, the unit’s nuclear medical science officer. “This allows us to hit the ground running when we work together at other events or crises. We don’t want to be meeting each other for the first time during an emergency.”
The partnership between Bose State, the 101st CST and state and federal agencies began in 2010 and provides the university with Olympic-level event security.
Jon Uda, Boise State’s assistant director of event security, started the stadium’s security program based off of his experience as part of the security team during the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. In 2015, the university was one of three NCAA institutions to receive the Facility of Merit for Safety and Security Award from the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security. The university was the first in the nation to install walkthrough metal detectors at its stadium during the 2014 season.
Teams walk through the entire stadium looking for threats before the game. The team is thorough, inspecting multiple areas throughout the stadium and surrounding area to ensure the safety of the community.
“Boise State games are the biggest thing in Idaho,” Gallas said. “They are predictable and there are a lot of people in one location.”
Albertson’s Stadium is the largest stadium in the state.
101st CST members assist the pre-game sweep with handheld radiation and chemical detectors while visually inspecting the premises for anything that shouldn’t be there.
“It’s about having a good baseline,” said McLean, who has worked approximately 30 games at Albertson’s Stadium. “We’re looking for anything out of the ordinary.”
After the sweep, Soldiers and Airmen from the 101st CST set up additional sensors in critical areas. Other team members monitor them from the command post with representatives from other agencies.
During the game the other team members continue to scan the stadium with the detectors.
The 101st CST attends all home Boise State football games and provides similar services at other public events, to include the Special Olympics, gubernatorial inaugurations and conferences.
The 101st WMD-CST unit is a joint Idaho National Guard unit, made up of Soldiers from the Idaho Army National Guard and Airmen from the Idaho Air National Guard. The unit supports civil authorities at a domestic incident site, including areas affected by terrorism or natural disasters by identifying hazards, assessing the current and projected consequences, advising on response measures, and assisting with appropriate requests for additional support.
| Date Taken: | 09.07.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 09.07.2017 18:01 |
| Story ID: | 247390 |
| Location: | BOISE, IDAHO, US |
| Web Views: | 428 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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