59th CBRN, FDNY Joint Training

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Angel Martinez-Navedo | Members of the New York Fire Department and the 59th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) Company make their way through the New York City subway during their Reconnaissance Sustainment Training with the FDNY at Pennsylvania Station on May 19. As part of the training, the unit collaborated with the FDNY in response to multiple “coordinated chemical and radiological attacks” throughout the city.  

NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES

05.20.2016

Story by Staff Sgt. Angel Martinez-Navedo 

20th CBRNE Command

By Maj. Ryan Donald and Angel D. Martinez-Navedo

NEW YORK – The 59th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) Company conducted Reconnaissance Sustainment Training with the New York Fire Department in New York City from May 16-20.
The main task during the training was a joint recon with the New York Fire Department Hazardous Materials and Items Division (HAZMAT) team at Pennsylvania Station on May 19. But first they went through a series of familiarization exercises at the New York Fire Department Training Division's Facilities, which has an exact replica of a portion of the New York City subway.
The 59th CBRN Company is the first active Army unit to train at the FDNY Training Division Facilities, and it is also the first time the 59th CBRN has trained with a fire department.
“The relationship between the Army and the FDNY is extremely strong, we love to come down here, and invite the Army to train with us,” said James Leonard, chief of the New York City Fire Department. “We get as much out of training with the Army as the Army gets out of training with us.”
The training scenario at the real station was a coordinated multiple chemical and radiological attacks in which local authorities were overwhelmed forcing them to request help from the Federal Government.
“It’s a great experience for us,” said Chief Frank Naglieri, FDNY HAZMAT Battalion commander. “And it’s obviously a good experience for them to get real live hands-on New York City subway training during rush hour.”
Being two different entities, their operating procedures will vary to some extent. Technical terms or even the equipment they use to communicate can complicate an already complex situation.
“We both (teams) had challenges, we both dealt with them, and now going forward we know what those challenges are,” said Naglieri.
This training allowed the 59th CBRN Company to being working with the New York City Fire Department HAZMAT and to improve the interoperability between the two organizations.
“The goal is to protect this country, and this type of training supports that,” added Leonard.
This training also reinforces the 59th CBRN Company’s role in the Defense Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and high-yield Explosives (CBRNE) Response Force (DCRF) mission.

• Date Taken: 05.20.2016
• Date Posted: 05.23.2016 14:56
• Story ID: 198776
• Location: NEW YORK, NY, US
• Hometown: ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, MD, US
• Hometown: EDGEWOOD, MD, US
• Hometown: FORT DRUM, NY, US
• Hometown: NEW YORK, NY, US