First responders extract civilians

Photo By Staff Sgt. Russell Klika | Army and Air National Guard members assigned to the Ohio National Guard's Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Enhanced Response Force Package (CERFP) practice extracting victims trapped in the rubble of a collapsed building during Vigilant Guard, a joint military and civilian training exercise simulating the detonation of an improvised nuclear device in a major metropolitan area May 10. Rubble and debris pose a challenge for the service members conducting operations at Muscatatuk Urban Training Center near North Vernon, Ind.  

05.15.2007

Courtesy Story

Camp Atterbury Indiana

By Spc. Elizabeth Gorenc
Army National Guard

NORTH VERNON, Ind. — National Guard Soldiers and Airmen, along with civilian first responders, extracted seven casualties from a simulated building collapse May 11 at the Indiana National Guard's Muscatatuck Urban Training Center near here.

The simulation at MUTC represented a building affected by a mock nuclear detonation May 10 at the intersection of Interstates 465 and 69 in Indianapolis.

Soldiers and Airmen from the Ohio National Guard's 155th Chemical Battalion, 637th Chemical Company, 1194th Engineer Company and 121st Air Refueling Wing Medical Group, which comprise Ohio's Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Enhanced Response Force Package (CERFP), responded alongside Airmen from the state's 178th, 179th and 180th Medical Groups.

According to Air Force Lt. Col. Kim Sencindiver from National Guard Bureau, the units worked together to provide immediate response capabilities, including searching damaged buildings, rescuing trapped casualties, providing decontamination and performing medical triage and initial treatment to stabilize patients for transport to medical facilities.

The CERFP possesses fully-stocked, specialized equipment for extraction, safety, shoring, rigging, confined-space extraction and high-angle rescue, as well as site and personnel decontamination.

"In the event that this simulation would be a real-world event, forces working together on the CERFP team would come together to aid friends, family and the community," Sencindiver said. "This exercise ensures that we are ready to correctly and efficiently perform our duties as military first responders."

Civilian first responders at the emergency extraction site included the Indianapolis Fire Department Engine Companies Nos. 1, 2 and 3, and Ladder Companies Nos. 1 and 2, Shelbyville Fire Department Rescue Company 81 and Grass Company 51, Moorestown Volunteer Fire Department, Warren Township Fire Department and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

• Date Taken: 05.15.2007
• Date Posted: 05.15.2007 08:37
• Story ID: 10376