AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 25, 2020 – U.S. Army units assigned to the Defense Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Response Force (DCRF) conducted an urban search and rescue field training exercise at Guvalle Water Treatment Plant, in Austin, Texas, Jan. 25 through 26.
The purpose of the two-day event was to enhance the coordination between the 36th Engineer Brigade and local civil authorities, emergency management service personnel, police and fire departments in support of Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) as part of Exercise Sudden Response (SR) 20.
“This is actually the first time that I’ve seen Department of Defense and civilian authorities training together,” said U.S. Army 1st Lt. Omotoyosi Oyedeji, platoon leader, 62nd Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade. “It’s important because it makes it more realistic. In the real world that’s how it’s going to work. We are going to be working hand-in-hand with civilian authorities.”
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency website, urban search and rescue involves the location, rescue (extrication) and initial medical stabilization of individuals trapped in confined spaces.
“We have two different hot zone sites or incident sites,” said 1st Lt. Oyedeji. “We have one for vehicle rescue operations and one that’s going to be confined-spaces rescue operations.”
During the training, soldiers used equipment to measure radiation for a vehicle rescue, while another group simulated entering a confined space for a rescue by setting up fresh air ventilation. The soldiers also used air tanks similar to scuba gear. The site had a medical tent decontamination line to treat the simulated rescued victims.
SR20 is a multi-echelon JTF-CS-led annual command post exercise held to sustain proficiency in command and control of the DCRF and its assigned units.
| Date Taken: | 01.26.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 01.28.2020 10:12 |
| Story ID: | 360642 |
| Location: | TX, US |
| Web Views: | 68 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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