North Dakota Civil Support Team Achieves Excellent Rating by National Guard Bureau Evaluation Team

UNITED STATES

11.20.2008

Courtesy Story

North Dakota National Guard Public Affairs

North Dakota National Guard

BISMARCK, N.D. — As the team responsible for augmenting local response assets during known or suspected attacks from weapons of mass destruction, the North Dakota National Guard's 81st Civil Support Team needs to consistently be at the top of its game. Series of regular evaluations help ensure their readiness, and the most recent inspection culminated, Nov. 20.

For the three-day evaluation, the National Guard Bureau sends a Standardization Evaluation and Assistance Team, or SEAT, to the unit's location, Bismarck in this case. The team examines eight major functional areas of the Civil Support Team: personnel, medical, training and operations, logistics, physical security, safety, budget and communications. The team's score after the first day was 97 percent. After some minor corrective actions were instituted, the final evaluation score was an impressive 99 percent. These results place the 81st CST team in what the SEAT refers to as the "Band of Excellence" indicating they are one of the top rated CSTs in the nation. The 81st CST's final score after their initial evaluation conducted in May 2006 was 97 percent.

"The Soldiers and Airmen of our 81st Civil Support Team are among the finest in the nation in the performance of their duties," said Maj.Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, adjutant general for the North Dakota National Guard. "This most recent evaluation proved conclusively that the team is highly proficient and if called upon, are able to provide quality and professional assistance to the citizens of North Dakota in the event of an emergency."

Using special military and commercial detection and communication equipment, the 81st CST can provide rapid analysis of unidentified substances, to include chemical or radiological hazards and identification of biological agents. Most recently, North Dakota's team deployed to Texas to assist in identifying hazardous materials in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike.

"I was certainly pleased with the results which are really an indication of the dedication and hard work of the team members. Such results provide further credence that we are ready to perform our mission if called upon." said Lt. Col. Larry Shireley, 81st Civil Support Team commander.

In addition to the biennial SEAT evaluation, U.S. Army North conducts external evaluations that examine the Civil Support Team's ability to effectively respond during a simulated exercise.

"In contrast, the SEAT examines our internal processes that directly relate to our operational readiness," Shireley said. "It not only provides a snapshot in time but also examines our ongoing internal daily operations."

North Dakota's Civil Support Team is one of 55 teams across the United States and its territories. Twenty Soldiers and two Airmen are on call in Bismarck and can be enroute to support civil authorities within 90 minutes.

The 81st CST is mainly designed to augment local and regional terrorism response capabilities in events known or suspected to involve weapons of mass destruction. WMD events are incidents involving hostile use of chemicals (such as nerve or blister agent), biological (for example, anthrax) or radiological agents. Specifically, the CST deploys to an area of operations to support civil authorities at an incident site by identifying agents and substances, assessing current and projected consequences, advising on response measures, and responding to requests for assistance to expedite arrival of additional state and federal assets to help save lives, prevent human suffering, and mitigate great property damage.

• Date Taken: 11.20.2008
• Date Posted: 11.20.2008 18:16
• Story ID: 26601
• Location: US