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    COPECO commissioner of Honduras visits Puerto Rico National Guard, local emergency response agencies

    COPECO commissioner of Honduras visits Puerto Rico National Guard and local emergency response agencies

    Photo By Sgt. Mahlet Tesfaye | The Puerto Rico National Guard welcomed a Honduran military and civilian delegation...... read more read more

    SALINAS, PUERTO RICO

    01.27.2016

    Courtesy Story

    U.S. Army South

    Story by Lt. Col. Ruth E. Diaz, Puerto Rico Army National Guard

    SALINAS, Puerto Rico - The Puerto Rico National Guard welcomed a Honduran military and civilian delegation Jan. 25-29 as part of the National Guard's State Partnership Program.

    The Honduran visitors and senior leaders from U.S. Army South and U.S. Southern Command had the opportunity to experience how the PRNG conducts training to manage emergencies with the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Enhance Response Force Package unit in order to have a knowledge regarding their response methods, including their experiences at the Borinqueneer Response Exercise 2015.

    “The weeklong visit provided the opportunity to exchange experiences, build relationships and help strengthen the relationship between Honduras and the United States,” said Capt. Noelia Roldan, the SPP coordinator with the Puerto Rico Guard.

    Retired Brig. Gen. Carlos Cordero, Honduras’ Comisión Permanente de Contingencias, National System for the Prevention, Mitigation, and Attention of Natural Disasters Commissioner, and other Honduran senior officers discussed topics related to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in preparation for the Army South’s “Fuerzas Humanitarias” FA-HUM 2016 exercise as part of the objectives of the State Partnership Program.

    During the visit, Cordero had office calls with the Puerto Rico National Guard adjutant general, Brig. Gen. Marta Carcana; Miguel A. Rios Torres, director of the Puerto Rico Emergency Response Agency; officials from the Puerto Rico Fire Department; and personnel from the Department of Homeland Security.

    "Our goal is to continue cultivating our relationships with our sister nations of the Republic of Honduras and Dominican Republic,” Carcana said. “The State Partnership Program gives us the opportunity to exchange ideas and seminars with both countries, especially on the issue of emergency management, critical aspect, as our geographical area is one of the most affected when we an atmospheric phenomenon threat or natural disaster. Coordination and communication between government and federal agencies is important to maintain our plans for rapid response up to date.”

    Topics discussed includes familiarization, sharing best practices and lessons learned during the last multi-agency exercise “Borinqueneer Response 2015” and the interoperability between state and federal agencies during an emergency or disaster response in the region.

    The group also observed some of the training capabilities and equipment from the CERF-P unit at Camp Santiago Joint Maneuver Training Center during their visit.

    The PRNG State Partnership Program belongs to the U.S. Southern Command, one of six U.S. geographically-focused unified commands with responsibility for U.S. military operations and security cooperation with partner nations in the Caribbean, Central America and South America.

    The Puerto Rico National Guard enjoys a strong partnership with Honduras and Dominican Republic and routinely participates in combined subject matter expert activities, exercises and operations designed to increase their interoperability and capabilities.

    Current areas of mutual cooperation and interest includes support to law enforcement operations targeting transnational organized crime, humanitarian assistance missions, human rights, peacekeeping, senior leaders engagements, engineering, and disaster response preparedness, among others.

    “The support we have received from the Puerto Rico National Guard in developing orientation programs and preparation for emergencies have been keen for Honduras. We have received training where workshops and exchanges have served to test Honduras' plans to respond and assist the population during emergency situations,” Cordero said. “With all the support we have received from the Southern Command and the Puerto Rico National Guard, the people of Honduras have been informed of the progress and achievements where Puerto Rico and the U.S. Southern Command have participated."

    This Honduran visit followed a week after Adm. Kurt Tidd, U.S. Southern Command commander, met with Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, Honduran military leaders and U.S. Ambassador to Honduras James D. Nealon.

    Eight exchanges are scheduled in 2016 that will focus on disaster preparedness, improving security and medical as they relate to a military force.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 01.27.2016
    Date Posted: 01.28.2016 16:36
    Story ID: 187321
    Location: SALINAS, PR

    Web Views: 163
    Downloads: 0

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