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Pocono News Section
Military Terror Training in Carbon Co.
Military Terror Training in Carbon Co. - Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 5:44PM EST
LEHIGHTON, CARBON COUNTY- National Guardsmen spent the day at Beltzville Dam stopping a possible attack. It was all part of a drill used to keep us safe from chemical warfare.
The guard's civil support team has to be evaluated every 18 months to make sure it's ready. National Guardsmen dressed in chemical protective suits ride to the river, here at the Beltzville Dam.
Everyone's ready for what they're bringing back. Major Jose Gonzalez said, "I think this situation is an excellent portrayal of what we encounter out there. Fact is, we don't know what's killing the fish."
This is a training exercise for the national guards civil support team. The team responds to chemical, biological and nuclear attacks. Lt. Col. Kevin McCann said, "Having this team ready to go out and help the citizens of the commonwealth recover and identify unknown agents is a very important job."
In this drill, someone reported fish dying in the river, possibly by chemicals. Guardsmen talked to their teammates when they reached the river, and then waited for them to come back. "This drill was unannounced so these National Guardsmen, they got a wake up call at about four this morning saying get to the Beltsville Dam as quickly as possible," said McCann.
At about noon, the team comes back, with buckets in hand. They walk a decontamination station, and scan the fish for radiation. This is what would happen if this scenario was the real deal. Sgt. Luke Long said, "It gets us out and it puts all the pieces together, all the different sections get to train together."
Carbon county emergency management was on hand as well. County EMA Director Mark Nalesnik said, "You respond the way you train. And that is why they're being closely evaluated and scrutinized."
It’s all to be ready in case of a real attack. The national guard's civil support team has 22 members. It's based out of Ft. Indiantown Gap and can respond anywhere in the commonwealth. | | |
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