Photo By Lt.Cmdr. Jim Remington | Army and Navy first responders exercise a mass casualty component of Exercise Capital...... read more read more
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WASHINGTON - Various federal, state and local agencies from Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland teamed up this week for Exercise Capital Shield 14, a joint training exercise that brings first responders together to realistically test interagency operability that might be needed in the event of an emergency. Hosted by Joint Force Headquarters - National Capital Region, it also trains and prepares the Department of Defense to support civil authorities and employ appropriate force protection measures as requested.
Training sites for this year's exercise included Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall and Davison Army Airfield at Fort Belvoir. The JBMHH portion exercised law enforcement personnel's response in an active shooter scenario followed by hostage negotiations and crime scene investigation. Participants at Davison Army Airfield exercised medical personnel responding to a mass casualty situation following a simulated earthquake. First responders established a triage site and executed a medical evacuation of patients by helicopter.
Army Maj. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan, who took command of JFHQ-NCR in June, noted the importance of the four-day exercise, particularly following the recent tragedy at the Washington Navy Yard where 12 civilians were killed by a lone gunman. He said maintaining vigilance and having close coordination with other organizations were vital to the region's overall safety.
"We have many emergency partners. That list continues to grow and things can be complex and difficult," Buchanan said. "That's why it's so important to be prepared. That only happens if we continue to improve our readiness."
Army Col. Burton Shields, operations officer for JFHQ-NCR, added the exercise is not only about how to work and receive forces into the region, but how to evaluate certain techniques and procedures while enhancing relationships between DOD and other agencies.
"It's important that government agencies at every level are prepared to take coordinated action in the event of an actual emergency. That can be either natural or man-made disasters," Shields said. "Working together and having a common goal are critical to our success."
John Lease, who oversaw the active shooter portion of the exercise at JBMHH, is special program team manager for Military District Washington. A veteran of special tactics training, he believes the exercise is invaluable to law enforcement personnel.
At one point during the drill, Lease said that when the participating officers were navigating down a dark hallway with fire alarms sounding and the smell of smoke all around it was an all-too real situation. Injecting that kind of realism, he said, is critical to proper training.
"This particular scenario, which we refer to as a sensory deprivation drill, attacks one's senses. The goal is to teach an individual how to adjust to their surroundings," Lease said. "It's all about proper condition response. It's one of the most effective ways a law enforcement officer can gain confidence. That goes a long way in performing life-saving missions in the event of a mass casualty."
Nearly 40 agencies participated in the exercise, including Washington Fire and Emergency Medical Support, Arlington County Fire Department, Prince George Fire Department, Fairfax County Community Emergency Response Team and various police departments throughout NCR.
| Date Taken: | 10.04.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 10.04.2013 14:09 |
| Story ID: | 114779 |
| Location: | DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, US |
| Web Views: | 88 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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