Photo By Staff Sgt. Adeline Witherspoon | U.S. Army Capt. Jaymar Imperial, training officer for the Washington National...... read more read more
Subscribe
First responders in Bellingham are more familiar with Washington National Guard capabilities after training with a specialized team that focuses on threats related to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high-yield explosives (CBRNE).
“Whatcom County has an emergency response team and the purpose was to get some joint training and familiarization with their team and our team in the event of a disaster,” said Capt. Jaymar Imperial, training officer for the 10th Civil Support Team (CST).
The 10th CST traveled to Whatcom County on Sept. 17, 2024, to train with the Specialized Emergency Response Program (SERP) and build relationships to ensure first responders know who they can count on for help.
The SERP is a hazardous materials team operating throughout Whatcom County, consisting of seven different agencies. The CST collaborated with the SERP and the Washington National Guard’s 10th Homeland Response Force with participation from the Washington Emergency Management Division and the FBI.
“I thought it would also be a good idea to get the Homeland Response Force (HRF), more specifically their CERF-P (CBRNE Enhanced Response Force Package), to be a part of the training so they know there are more assets in Washington,” Imperial said.
Training began with a capabilities briefing from all of the HAZMAT teams, followed by a session on radiation safety. The CST provided equipment and training and conducted an exercise with multiple joint entries. The CST and HRF took the opportunity to utilize the National Guard CBRNE Response Enterprise Information Management System (NG CIMS) to create a common operating picture and test connectivity on all NG CIMS platforms. This record system provides a standardized tool for managing information and mission operations for the National Guard's Civil Support Teams, CERFPs and Homeland Response Forces.
The SERP team and the 10th CST also conducted a technical decontamination and shared best practices.
“These events are very important to us, and not only as a CST or National Guard. It’s also beneficial to our partner agencies to train and prepare for unknown hazards and identify the steps to respond, both methodically and safely,” said Chief Warrant Officer Two Kristin Retherford, 10th Civil Support Team survey team leader. “The CST trains routinely with local first responders to prepare for potential hazards from weapons of mass destruction. Not every agency is provided with equipment to read the hazard, so the more we can help, the better we all are.”
| Date Taken: | 09.27.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 10.01.2024 13:33 |
| Story ID: | 481949 |
| Location: | CAMP MURRAY, WASHINGTON, US |
| Hometown: | BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 73 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, CST trains with specialized team of first responders in Whatcom County, by Joseph Siemandel, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
