Photo By Senior Master Sgt. Caycee Watson | U.S. Army Spc. Kevin Smith with the 108th Chemical Company, South Carolina Army...... read more read more
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RIDGELAND, S.C. - The S.C. Army National Guard’s 108th Chemical Company, from North Charleston, S.C., continues to get their fill of training during Ardent Sentry, May 19. The company has already shown their capabilities to process personnel through a decontamination line and today, they’ve done the same with a large vehicle convoy.
The 108th Chemical Company set up a decontamination line in Ridgeland, S.C., and began moving vehicles through several stations to ensure any contamination present was eliminated. They began with using radiological detection equipment to determine if alpha, beta or gamma radiation was present. From there vehicles were moved through soapy water wash and rinse stations. They ended with a final detection station before getting cleared to move forward.
The assembly line process is pertinent for essential vehicles coming from contaminated areas entering a clean environment. This allows them to pick up supplies needed without risking the spread of contaminates. The vehicles need to be sanitized in order to pick up food and water supplies that would be delivered to the civilian population affected by a natural disaster.
“During a real hurricane disaster, the biggest effort would be decontamination from biological contamination caused by a flood overflowing sewers and graveyards. Those pathogens grow in backed up water,” said Staff Sgt. Chris Ladd, Platoon Sgt. for the 108th Chemical Company.
The company would wear even more protective gear in that situation, but for the radiation exercise, a gas mask and gloves is all that is necessary to protect the soldiers from particulates entering their lungs. They are also equipped with radiation accumulation monitors that would warn them if they have accumulated too much.
“Right now we’re doing civilian and military vehicle decontamination,” said 2nd Lt. David Walker, Platoon Leader.
“That is the versatility we have in the S.C. National Guard when it comes to decontamination and homeland security,” he added.
The 108th Chemical Company worked along with the Jasper County fire department, processing their first response vehicles through the decontamination process.
“Training is going great,” said Walker. “The weather is cooperating so we’re able to move fairly quickly. We’ve had more vehicles come through than what was anticipated and we’re handling it very well.”
Staff Sgt. Charles Jones, a decontamination platoon member working in the final detection phase mirrored his leader’s comments and stated, “We’re getting a lot of training. If we have to respond for a real disaster, we’ll know exactly what to do. And that is why we are here.”
| Date Taken: | 05.19.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 05.19.2013 21:54 |
| Story ID: | 107210 |
| Location: | RIDGELAND, SC, US |
| Web Views: | 218 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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