Photo By Staff Sgt. Brian Calhoun | U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Chris McKenna, a UH-60 Black Hawk pilot with the...... read more read more
GEORGETOWN, S.C. - Multiple nonprofit organizations have joined forces to support the South Carolina National Guard throughout the state during Vigilant Guard 2015, a regional emergency response exercise focused on agency interoperability during a response to a natural disaster.
Early in the morning of March 8, 2015, Soldiers, Airmen and civilian medical response teams prepared for the day’s mission in temperatures below 50 degrees. Although properly clothed in winter gear, shoulders were shivering and hands were shaking. When they arrived at the Georgetown SCNG staging area, they were greeted with different stations manned by civilians providing snacks, goodies and beverages. Among the stations were the United Service Organizations, the Salvation Army and the Red Cross.
The USO set up their mobile unit, one of only four in the country, to provide comfort to everyone working at the site. Soldiers and Airmen used the heated unit containing gaming systems, televisions with DVDs, a kitchen and charging outlets. Workers hastily refilled drinks and encourage people to take advantage of the mobile unit.
“I don’t wear the uniform so this is my way to give back and to say thanks,” said Katie Kennedy, USO operations and programs manager. “People who are in uniform miss moments with their friends and families so we try to make every moment they’re with their service family count.”
Across the aisle were the Salvation Army and Red Cross stations. While the two are separate entities, they collaborated for this event to serve participants of the exercise as efficiently as possible.
The other purpose of the collaboration is to test their effectiveness in an emergency situation, which mirrors the overall intention of VG15. In the event of an actual state emergency, they would provide assistance to the SCNG.
Additionally, the Georgetown Salvation Army and Red Cross are a part of the Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters group. This exercise gives the group the ability to test out their current emergency plans and find areas where they might need improvement.
“Our mission here is to provide snacks and hydration supplies. We’re here to support service members, provide comfort in this environment and to make sure we’re ready for any situation,” said Lt. Christopher L. Wallace, a Salvation Army corps officer.
| Date Taken: | 03.08.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 03.08.2015 14:40 |
| Story ID: | 156361 |
| Location: | GEORGETOWN, SC, US |
| Web Views: | 145 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
This work, Nonprofit organizations support the SC National Guard during Vigilant Guard 2015, by SGT Tashera Pravato, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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