In many respects it is a nice mix: the
CSTs are on the ground and (should the CST be responding) the USAF EM in the OEM (Office of Emergency Management) are helping to filter the information coming in for non- specialists and are making sure that they ask the right questions. In terms of size, the Air Force has 1,800 CBRN trained emergency managers split between active duty, Air National Guard and reserve personal. The emergency managers are all trained by the Joint CBRN School in Fort Leonard Wood where they receive their hazmat tech qualification and will also have annual refresher qualifications at their local fire department – all of which will be assessed in quarterly exercises on base. The trouble with having a ‘day job’, since there are so many hazardous chemicals (hazchem) on air bases, is that anything else such as CBRN becomes a distraction. How then does the USAF ensure that CBRN awareness is not lost to hazmat first? “We do get dragged into the hazchem issue,” agreed CMSgt Watler-Hall, “but as EM we are also responsible for the installation EM program: ensuring that the installation is ready for any incident that might happen, assuring that the units have their checklists current, and that they have completed any necessary training. So if we need to stand up the Emergency Operations Centre, they all should respond efficiently.”
In terms of base protection, much of the USAF CBRN equipment comes via the Installation Protection Program (IPP), which is part of the Guardian program within JPEO CBD. Mr Thomas suggested that while a lot of the equipment did come through the Guardian program it was not the only way: “Not all Air Force installations are equipped by Guardian or IPP. In the past, the Air Force used Guardian or IPP to provide specific enhancements but the USAF postures itself based on wartime requirements using the ‘garrison equals deployed’ model. This model ensures CBRN technicians use the same equipment and tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) whether at a home station or deployed.” CMSgt Watler-Hall stated it was a
USAF Emergency Managers are all trained as Hazmat Techs ©USAF
www.cbrneworld.com CBRNe South America 2012, 13-14 March, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. More information on
www.icbrnevents.com
February 2012 CBRNe WORLD
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