Special Issue TSA Exercise 2013 VSG

Hon. Peter Shumlin, Governor The State Guard MG Steven A. Cray, Adjutant General, Vermont MG Richard D. Morrison, (VSG) Commanding VSG is the authorized all-volunteer State Defense BG Kenneth Stratton, (VSG) Chief of Staff Force of the Green Mountain State LTC Thomas Wiley, (VSG) HQ - Editor

Vermont State Guard The Exercise Mission The Exercise Intent Transportation Staging Area Exercise (TSAX) On 5 October 2013, selected The simulated TSA exercise would Saturday, 5 October 2013 personnel from the Vermont State provide training for VSG personnel Guard’s 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th Battalions in the duties and tasks involved in and Aviation, Medical Corps, Air operating a TSA and review of the Hosted by: Wing, and VSG Headquarters equipment used in setting up a TSA. deployed from Rutland, Springfield, Armed Forces Reserve Center Berlin, Lyndonville, St. Albans and a. The TSA is designed for EPZ municipalities’ precautionary transfer Rutland, Vermont the greater Burlington area by POV and traveled to the Armed Forces of students and ambulatory/non- CPT Gretchen Bux, USAR Reserve Center (AFRC) in Rutland, ambulatory patients in area nursing Commander VT for a Transportation Staging homes and hospitals to locations at 424th Engineer Company Area (TSA) simulation exercise in Bellows Falls High School outside support of Vermont Division of the EPZ and to the Veterans And Emergency Management and Administration Hospital in White Homeland Security (DEMHS). River Junction respectively. Vermont Division of Emergency DEMHS participants, Dave Emery Management and Homeland and John Angil, have been involved b. The TSA simulation portion of the exercise would test the VSG’s Security (DEMHS) in TSA planning and exercises since John Angil, the first joint exercise in 2008. ability to establish and operate a TSA in an efficient and timely manner in Dave Emery, DEMHS personnel moved the 25- foot equipment trailer from its accordance with protocols initially Rich Cogliano, location at the VTrans field office in developed by DEMHS with VSG Dummerston to the exercise site in input. The TSA would receive and And Rutland. The trailer contains process simulated buses, ambulances equipment owned by DEMHS and and other vehicles and, on order, 2nd Battalion VSG, the that’s dispatch appropriate vehicles to Rutland, Vermont necessary to set up and operate a requesting facilities. TSA. Equipment in the trailer

included tentage, a generator, light COL Gerald Garrow, Participants Commanding sets, traffic control equipment, and office supplies. VSG HQ st 1 Battalion Event OIC 2nd Battalion LTC Candice Raines The Exercise Objective 3rd Battalion

5th Battalion To train VSG personnel to execute Air Wing the TSA emergency transportation Aviation plan if a precautionary transfer of Medical Corps selected populations within the DEMHS Vermont Yankee nuclear plant ****************************** Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ) And now – photos from the event! were to become necessary due to an event at the plant. Please enjoy …..

Rutland AFRC TSAX 2013 Layout

Upon arrival VSG members were signed in for accountability and received their training station packets. A mass formation was held with welcome remarks from COL Gerald Garrow (2BN Commander). LTC Erik Christman (2Bn Executive Officer) and LTC Candice Raines (TSAX OIC) provided additional information on the sequence of events for the training exercise. LTC Raines then introduced the training station leadership. One-half of the members of the mass VSG formation were assigned to either Group 1 or Group 2. Group 1 reported to the AFRC multi-purpose room for a briefing led by LTC Candice Raines and Vermont Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS) personnel, Mr. John Angil and Mr. Dave Emery. Group 2 personnel remained in the AFRC parking lot to begin training on tent assembly and generator use led by 2d Battalion staff members LTC Erik Christman and LTC Joe Rigg. After 25 minutes the groups switched.

TSAX overview Briefing

The inside briefing consisted of a PowerPoint presentation which provided an overview of the Dummerston TSA site, IP-3 thru IP-7 station operations and forms, and an overview of the AFRC TSA Simulation site.

Overview briefing with, l to r, LTC Raines speaks to Group 1 in John Angil (DEMHS), Dave the AFRC multipurpose room. Emery (DEMHS) and LTC

Cand ice Raines (2BN).

The outside briefing consisted of an overview of the TSA trailer contents, tent set-up and generator operation. The generator was operational. Trailer contents were reviewed and tents were erected in the AFRC parking lot by enthusiastic VSG personnel.

Below, COL Stebbins (AVN Cdr) ensures the straps

holding the separate tent pieces are well secured.

MAJ Gilhooly (HQ) works closely PFC Kirby (HQ) works with SGT

with LTC McCormack (HQ) to Emery (HQ) to matchup perlins put tent perlins together. for tent assembly.

For the next set of classes, Group 1 reported to the AFRC multi-purpose classroom for a briefing led by LTC Bethel (MED) on Health concerns. Group 2 personnel reported to the AFRC classrrom for a briefing on Go Bags led by MAJ Law (3BN) and CPT Keast (3BN). After 25 minutes the Groups switched.

Health concerns

Above, LTC Bethel (MED) makes points that are

to be considered when participating in a TSAX.

Go Bags

Above, l to r, MAJ Law (3BN) and CPT Keast (3BN) instruct VSG members on

the contents of several types of “Go Bags”, both small and large. Essential item include personal hygiene items and both officers agree in the photo on the right that the operation isn’t complete until the “paperwork” is done.

Lunch

(provided at no-cost by the DEMHS) Go Bags

As seen in the photos, VSG members were treated to an

excellent lunch provided at no cost from the DEMHS.

After lunch, Group 1 reported to the AFRC multi-purpose room for a briefing led by COL Frank Buswell on Communications. Group 2 personnel reported to the AFRC parking lot for a briefing on Traffic Flow led by MAJ Westover (1BN). After 25 minutes the groups switched.

Communications

Below, COL Buswell (VSG G6) explains how significant radio communication is in

an operation where participants cannot see or easily communicate with each station.

Above, COL Buswell (VSG G6) demonstrates the correct method of holding and speaking into communications radios.

Traffic Flow

MAJ Westover (1BN) has the groups’ full attention when displaying proper

reflective gear for safe traffic flow duty. Also demonstrated were the individual

placement and hand signals while performing traffic flow duty. So, don’t be

pointing fingers at oncoming traffic!

At approximately 1400, all VSG personnel reported to their assigned training stations. The following pages explain the station training responsibilities and photos of the stations in action. General officers and Colonels were to drive the simulated vehicles (buses, school buses, ambulances, handicap vans, etc.).

TSAX Station Training

IP2 – Staging Area Unit Leader Station

IP-2 - Unit Leader (COL Gerald Garrow): This station is responsible for operational control and coordination of the VSG personnel operating the TSA, and for periodic status reports to the TSA Manager.

COL Livingston (1BN) mans the Unit

Leader Station while COL Garrow (2BN Cdr) visits one of the training stations.

IP3 – Entrance Coordinator Station

IP-3 - Entrance Coordinator (CSM Austin): This station checks fuel in each vehicle arriving at the TSA, orders the vehicle to proceed to the next station or to proceed to the designated fuel point as applicable, and reports arrivals to the dispatcher at IP-6. This was the first station to be operational during the exercise.

Pictured are, l to r, SGT Emery (HQ), CPT Keast (3BN), MSG O’Connell (HQ), 1LT Combs (HQ),

COL Agan (AIR) and CSM Austin (2BN).

CSM Austin (2BN) oversees the training of the IP3 personnel as they ensure the arriving vehicles have sufficient fuel for the next vehicle request.

IP5 – Vehicle Registration Station

IP-5 – Vehicle Registration (LTC Richard Blongy): At this station, each arriving vehicle is assigned a control number by vehicle type and that number is affixed to the vehicle.

Pictured are, l to r, MAJ Trapani (MED), MAJ Law (3BN), COL Burkhalter (3BN Cdr), and What a fine group of VSG personnel for LTC CPT Beaudry (1BN). Blongy (2BN) to instruct to ensure arriving vehicles are properly designated at IP5. All

stations had personnel from different units ensuring the information could be returned to

the units for training purposes.

Below, l to r,

COL Josselyn (MED), MG

Morrison, BG Cota, BG

Stratton observe TSAX

stations in action

IP4 – Vehicle Arrival Reporter Station

IP-4 - Vehicle Arrival Reporter (LTC Erik Christman): This station keeps a log of arriving vehicles by number and type. Reports arrival to IP6 Dispatcher.

Center on the left photo, LTC Christman, (2BN) prepares his station for action. Center photo, MAJ Sullivan (3BN) waves a vehicle through with proper traffic flow gear, placement and coned

flashlight while PFC Kirby (HQ) records the vehicle number for the IP4 log. MAJ Hanlon (MED) stays in radio contact with IP6 Dispatcher station. Other IP4 participants were LTC Wiley (HQ),

1LT Kirker (1BN) and LTC McCormack (HQ).

Vehicle Staging Area Coordinator

Responsibilities (CPT Bruce Tucker & SFC Richard Rogers) – creates vehicle parking area using cones and signs, directs vehicles to designated parking area by vehicle type, greets drivers, escorts drivers to dosimetry and returns drivers to vehicles, offers refreshments to drivers or escorts to waiting are (some drivers cannot leave vehicles), upon receipt of dispatch orders, directs drivers to IP7 Exit Coordinator.

MSG Proctor (5BN), Above, 2nd from right, SFC Rogers (2BN) demonstrates to his volunteered as an additional station personnel (l to r) SGM Mitchell (MED), MSG Proctor exercise vehicle driver and (5BN) and MSG Conforth (1BN), the proper method of escorted to the Dosimetry traffic direction and designated parking areas. Station by SGM Mitchell (MED).

IP6 – Vehicle Dispatcher Station

IP-6 – Vehicle Dispatcher (LTC Candice Raines): At this station, the dispatcher receives information from IP-4 Vehicle Arrival for each type vehicle that has been registered. This information is posted on a white board to provide dispatch personnel with a visual reference to the vehicle number, type and capacity. This is valuable for the actual TSA setting at Dummerston, since the dispatch station is located inside the building and dispatch personnel cannot see the vehicle staging area. The dispatcher receives orders to dispatch vehicles by type to specific destinations. Dispatch personnel then complete required forms and distribute assignments, maps and directions to appropriate vehicle drivers. This station requires the most personnel.

LTC Raines and LTC Rigg provide instruction at this station. At times, it can get confusing and hectic but

with this 2013 team it seemed to go smoothly. Runners, White board, forms, maps and radio com munications go a long way for this group. Pictured top left are, l to r, COL Turner (AIR), CPT Clark

(5BN ), MAJ Tighe (MED), LTC Mullen (HQ), COL Manock (ACoS HQ), MAJ Thibault (1BN), and LTC Gadbois (MED).

Dosimetry (Radiology) Station

Dosimetry (Radiology) Station (Radiology officer Mr. John Angil) provided dosimeters, kits and excellent training for VSG personnel.

Above left, John Angil (DEMHS) gets his team ready for proper Dosimetry station training. The vehicle drivers are equipped with a dosimeter, pills and radiation exposure card for keeping track of the readings.

Above right, BG Cota (HQ) and MAJ Hanlon (MED) look on as they prepare to receive their dosimetry information given by, seated, LTC LaTour (5BN) and MAJ Gilhooly (standing) (HQ).

Above left, MAJ Gilhooly (HQ) tears off a radiological tablet (center bottom) to give to COL Benevento (AIR Cdr) as his Vehicle Staging escort SGM MitchellIP7 – Exit(in vest) Coordinator stands by to escort Station him back to his vehicle. Above right, MAJ Gilhooly “reads” the dosimetry capsule that has been returned by a driver for recording on their radiation exposure card.

IP-7 – Exit Coordinator (CPT Bruce Baccei): This station is responsible for checking the vehicle driver’s forms, maps and directions; providing return instructions to the vehicle driver; and informing the dispatcher when a vehicle leaves the TSA.

Above is the IP7 station, l to r, SGM Tilden (5BN), LTC Leipold (1BN Cdr), LTC Bethel (MED) and MSG Baer (3BN) as they wait patiently for a vehicle to finally leave the Staging Area. This information is critical

for the IP6 Dispatcher to know when vehicles depart the Staging Area. The first vehicle to depart is the simulated handicap van driven by, none other than, our Commander, MG Morrison. So long, sir!!

Upon TSAX stand-down, the Vermont State Guard participants form a mass formation for the closing remarks by Exercise personnel. The folder provided to each participant is to go back to the individual units to continue training on this vital VSG mission. On the formation below, the baseman (LTC Wiley – HQ) stepped

out of formation to take this photo of the volunteers that made it their mission to attend TSAX 2013.

VSG 2013 TSAX mass Closing Formation

On the stand down of the TSAX, a mass VSG formation was held to be briefed by the DEMHS, VSG HQ and 2nd Battalion commander and staff. After the formation was dismissed, an After Action Review (AAR) was held for unit commanders and interested personnel in the AFRC multi-purpose classroom.

TSAX Manager Dave Emery

(DEMHS) speaking to VSG formation. John Angil (DEMHS)

congratulates BG Stratton nd BG Stratton speaks to the (VSG CoS), 2 BN and the VSG formation at the

entire VSG on an exercise well conclusion of TSAX 2013 done.

After Action Review (AAR)

VSG TSAX Trailer with assorted contents and staging material

2013 TSAX Summary

The participation by members of VSG at the TSA simulation training exercise fulfilled a recommendation made after the May 2010 TSA exercise at Dummerston that more VSG personnel be readied for deployment should the TSA be activated. The conduct of a simulated exercise at a location other than Dummerston provided VSG/DEMHS personnel with the knowledge that a TSA could be set up for any evacuation event in the State of Vermont. This gives the members of the VSG the potential for additional opportunities to serve the citizens of Vermont. VSG members accomplished the exercise in an efficient, timely, safe and professional manner. The cooperation and work of personnel from DEMHS was greatly appreciated by VSG members. Their efforts made the exercise effective and realistic. Appreciation is also extended to personnel of the Rutland AFRC for allowing the exercise to take place at their facility. The 2BN Commander, COL Gerald Garrow, commends the AFRC representative SSG Luis Campos and MSG (R) Brian Perry for their outstanding cooperation and coordination. We also thank VTANG members, LTC Randall Gates and SGM Stephen Guion, for their support in repairing our generator. .

Closing remarks: BG Kenneth Stratton Chief of Staff, VSG HQ

MG Richard Morrison and I would like to thank all the participants for being at the VY-TSAX on Saturday, 5 October 2013. A special thanks to 2nd Battalion Commander, COL Garrow, Executive Officer, LTC Christman and S3, LTC Raines and everyone in the 2nd Battalion for an outstanding job they accomplished planning and executing the 2013 exercise. Several months of preparation are required to ensure this exercise is professionally executed. Many thanks to the Vermont Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS) personnel, Richard Cogliano, David Emery and John Angil provided support arranging the movement of the VSG TSAX trailer to the Rutland AFRC and providing us with a great lunch. Their participation in the exercise was invaluable for all the training stations and overall exercise execution. The TSAX is a training exercise to bring all eight elements of the VSG together to work as one unified team to successfully achieve one common objective. The VSG Transportation Staging Area is the primary mission of the Vermont State Guard. The training we receive can be used for any mass evacuation of schools, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, etc. Therefore, it is imperative that everyone in the VSG receives this training. Take what was learned at the exercise and integrate it into your unit training schedules. Benjamin Franklin once said: "Tell me.... and I forget", "Teach me.... and I remember", "Involve me.... and I learn". We learned a lot at the 2013 TSAX.