American Security Today May 2017 Digital Magazine American Security Today May 2017 Digital Magazine | Page 41

Volume 12
protective garment for Maritime Response.
May 2017 Edition
in a CBRN environment.
(Learn More. Courtesy of RST Info and YouTube)
The Florida National Guard’s Civil Support Team, spent the
day training with MDFR firefighters during a sustainment
training exercise that combines civil authorities and Defense
CBRN Response Force, in Miami, Florida. (Image Credit:
Master Sgt. Mark Bell, Army Reserve)
Relationship Building
Aside from the hands-on training, Frankhouser
said the important take away from the training
exercise was simply to build relationships.
He said one of the goals of these types of joint
training events is to ensure local responders and
the Army Reserve Soldiers understand each oth-
er’s responsibilities during an emergency or cata-
strophic incident.
When th e time comes to combine resources in
a real-world event, both organizations already
have those established connections and com-
mon language to be successful
“We build relationships prior to an incident in
preparation for an incident to make sure that un-
derstanding is across the board,” he said.
Col. Mike Vail, Chief, Homeland Operations Divi-
sion for the Army Reserve, said the 329th CBRN
Company is currently one of two Army Reserve
units supporting the Defense CBRN Response
Force for the CBRN Response Enterprise.
The DCRF mission is to save lives, mitigate hu-
man suffering and facilitate recovery operations
More than 5,200 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Ma-
rines and civilians from active-duty and reserve
component units make up the scalable force
which can respond to local, state, tribal or fed-
eral agencies to support efforts in the event of a
CBRN incident.
Vail said the key component for a successful re-
sponse to a disaster or emergency is developing
partnerships with civil authorities, first respond-
ers and the National Guard.
“As a Federal Response Partner, the Army Re-
serve seeks training events with local, state and
federal agencies to better hone our skills and to
further develop symbiotic training relationships,”
he said.
During the training exercise, Army Reserve Sol-
diers worked side-by-side MDFRD firefighters
to provide joint reconnaissance operations on a
suspected weapon of mass destruction.
Vail said after the training, he hoped Miami civil
authorities understand the unique capabilities the
Army Reserve can provide to assist in the event
of a catastrophic incident or accident that over-
whelms local and state assets.
Most importantly, Vail said he hoped both the
Army Reserve Soldiers and MDFRD personnel
walked away with a better understanding of each
other’s mission and capabilities to provide an en-
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