SC National Guard, Fort Jackson unified response exercise

Photo By Col. Cindi King | Andrew James, fire chief for the McCrady Training Center, participates as the incident commander during a force protection exercise call "Palmetto Guardian" at the McCrady Training Center, Eastover, S.C. Nov. 2, 2013. Agencies from the S.C. National Guard and Fort Jackson responded to a simulated suspicious package and suspicious person at the McCrady Training Center, where security measures, communication, and coordination drills were practiced. (U.S. Army photo by MAJ Cindi King, S.C. National Guard Public Affairs)  

EASTOVER, SC, UNITED STATES

11.02.2013

Story by Maj. Cindi King 

South Carolina National Guard

EASTOVER, S.C.— First responders from the S.C. National Guard and Fort Jackson simulated a suspicious package scenario and staged the apprehension of a suspicious person during an exercise called “Palmetto Guardian” at the McCrady Training Center Nov. 2.

The training exercise was planned to help various agencies within the S.C. National Guard and Fort Jackson streamline their communication and coordination procedures. It was planned to be as realistic as possible, with McCrady stopping access to visitors and closing off the training installation while various agencies assessed and responded to the situation.

The almost 100 participants included members of the S.C. National Guard’s 43rd Civil Support Team, 218th Regimental Leadership, Youth Challenge Academy, the Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services at McCrady, as well as Fort Jackson’s Provost Marshal, Police Department and 192nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion.

“This mission is important for the Fort Jackson Provost Marshal’s Office,” said Maj. Brad Fisher, Ft. Jackson Provost Marshal. “It gave us a chance to interface with personnel and first responders from McCrady, which we don’t often get to do.”

The incident unfolded at approximately 8:30 a.m., when a suspicious package was reported, which set the exercise in motion. Installation leadership cleared the area, reported the incident to emergency personnel. Within minutes, first responders from the S.C. National Guard and Fort Jackson began arriving on scene. The scenario evolved with additional reports of a suspicious person on the installation. Fort Jackson Police executed procedures to assist with apprehending the individual, while simultaneously the 192nd EOD investigated the package for explosives with a robot. Meanwhile, the 43rd CST put on protective suits to check the package for any additional threats.

Andrew James, fire chief for the McCrady Training Center, and designated incident commander for the scenario, said this exercise was extremely valuable for his team. It allowed them to develop their capabilities and understand the various roles each first responder has during a crisis.

“This was a great exercise for us, in that we learned as events unfold quickly, different agencies take the lead for different parts of the response efforts,” said James. “This drill was very valuable to work out any communications issues and see how we can help each other and improve.”

By 11:30 a.m., the simulated threat was cleared, and the McCrady installation reopened.

“This exercise was a great display of teamwork between the S.C. National Guard and Fort Jackson,” said Lt. Col. Robert Dingle, deputy commander for the McCrady Training Center Garrison Command. “The coordination between the 43rd CST and Ft. Jackson EOD was especially beneficial.”

Dingle said the exercise also brought together planners, which was important in developing coordination between all parties from the different agencies and tenants on the installation.

“Given the world we live in, force protection is critical,” said Dingle. “Through this exercise, we were able to identify some shortfalls, which we can improve upon and be ready if ever faced with a real situation like this.”

• Date Taken: 11.02.2013
• Date Posted: 11.03.2013 13:19
• Story ID: 116204
• Location: EASTOVER, SC, US