New Mexico Minuteman - Summer 2011 - Keep Trees

By 1st Lt. Brian Raphael, 150th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Offi cer
The 150th Fighter Wing, New Mexico Air
National Guard, hosted the fi rst-ever Federal
Emergency Management Agency regional
training for Region 6 emergency managers
in the Air National Guard. The one-week
training held March 14-18, 2011, at Kirtland
Air Force Base had EM’s representing
states from Region 6 — New Mexico, Texas,
Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana.
“This training prepares emergency
managers to respond to all hazards on-
and off-base,” said Senior Master Sgt. Matthew
Archuleta, 150th Fighter Wing, New
Mexico Air National Guard. “All hazards
including chemical, biological, radiological,
nuclear, and high-yield explosives in
active CBRNE.”
“This Region 6 training is the fi rst time
we brought together all bases within the
region,” said Tech. Sgt. Robby McGee,
Fort Smith, Ark. “Training is designed for
profi ciency, protective equipment, hazard
identifi cation, sharpening skills. It is a
yearly requirement in compliance with
OSHA and Air Force instructions.”
The training exercise was broken down
into two portions. The classroom portion
spanned three days at the Defense
Threat Reduction Agency. There a detailed
table-top exercise composed of a notional
dirty bomb scenario was introduced and
responded to by emergency managers,
military and civil authorities with a focus on
command, control, and coordination.
The second portion of the training was
application focused and covered in two
days. This fi eld application incorporated the
Joint Effect Modeling — a contamination
plume modeling program, and one Accident
Coordination Response scenario identifying
ricin and industrial chemical hazards.
“This is a good opportunity to merge
people who are not trained and don’t have
their own equipment with people who are
trained and have the equipment,” said
Senior Airman Robert Clopton, 136th Air Lift
Wing, Fort Worth, Texas. “Every Emergency
Manager must have a medical and physical
check and be physically fi t because of all
the protective gear that must be worn while
working inside a level-A suit.”
While providing protection from certain
hazards, the level-A suit itself is cumbersome
and challenging to work in. “It’s
kinda like your personal sauna,” said
Senior Airman Jessica Keal, Naval Air
Station Joint Reserve Base, Fort Worth,
Texas. Keal is also a full-time nuclear plant
employee whose family works for FEMA.
This groundbreaking event leverages
the many strengths of Region 6 emergency
managers while identifying possible
areas of improvement. In the future, different
installations within Region 6 will host
similar events to bring profi ciency training
to everyone who otherwise might not be
Members from FEMA Region 6 Managers
descend on New Mexico for a fi rst-ever
regional training.
One member of FEMA Region 6 trainees suits
up in a Level-A chemical protection suit while
the other Airman checks the gauge to ensure it
is reading the oxygen levels properly. Both of
the members must receive this training as it is a
yearly requirement. The Level-A chemical protection
suit, along with an oxygen tank and bright
orange rubber boots, are just some of the equipment
they must be fully trained on for emergencies
that may arise. All of the units proved to
work well together during the training. Photos:
Master Sgt. Paula Aragon
able to travel to one location. In addition,
the different venues will aid the training
by providing an unfamiliar environment.
Should the need ever arise, emergency
managers will have the training, familiarity,
and profi ciency required to neutralize
potential hazards.
Summer 2011 / NEW MEXICO National Guard 11