HAZMAT Hazards

Photo By Spc. Yancy Mendoza | U.S. Army Sgt. Tiffany Zumaya and Sgt. Thomas Brown from the 9th Civil Support Team examine evidence for a training exercise held at Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alamitos, Calif. on July 14, 2022. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Pfc. Yancy Mendoza.)  

ANAHEIM, CA, UNITED STATES

07.22.2022

Story by Pfc. Yancy Mendoza 

California National Guard Primary   

(Anaheim, Calif) - California National Guard’s 9th Civil Support Team conducted a training exercise July 14, 2022, as part of preparation for an evaluation coming in March 2023.

The simulated hazmat event covers different methods of response to the various threats that the 9th CST may be called into action.

“We are a hazmat team, a specialized team, dedicated to any kind of chemical, biological, nuclear or radiation response. ” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Ryan Noonan, Commander of the 9th Civil Support Team.

U.S. Army Sgt. Tiffany Zumaya and Sgt. Thomas Brown from the 9th CST suited up and responded to a situation where an unknown chemical substance was found in a school, threatening the lives of students and faculty. Upon entering the building, they discovered a white powder substance next to discarded disposable masks and gloves, along with a small unknown mechanical device under a nearby desk in a backpack. The two quickly accessed the situation and successfully identified the substance, all the while having to keep an eye on their oxygen levels in their suits.

“Good learning, good training. That's what it is, to see what we fall short on and what we can improve to fix it.” said Zumaya, “We talked to our observers, our trainers and they gave us feedback. We had lessons learned for sure.”

The pair were evaluated by the Civil Support Training Activity U.S. Army North. Alpha Team Chief Phillippe Kebreau from the CSTA Army North had high praise for the 9th CST.

“I think it's critical for the public to know that they have a really confident team within Southern California that is prepared to assist local responders, and that fully understand local protocols,” he said.

The 9th Civil Support Team, established in 1999, is one of 57 teams across the United States ready to support civil authorities in the event of the use or threat of a weapon of mass destruction. The CST’s purpose is to raise domestic security and response capability to terrorist involving weapons of mass destruction by assisting local authorities, FBI or any other organizations.

• Date Taken: 07.22.2022
• Date Posted: 07.23.2022 10:09
• Story ID: 425565
• Location: ANAHEIM, CA, US