4th Civil Support Team Trains Personnel in Chemical Detection Methods

by Staff Sergeant Jonathan Dean, 4th Civil Support Team (WMD),

The metro Atlanta area has robust capabilities when it comes to dealing with chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosive (CBRNE) events. Many different agencies play a role in protecting Georgia’s citizens by training for and responding to these types of events. These agencies often utilize the expertise of the 4th Civil Support Team (CST) the Georgia National Guard to provide customized training.

“We have participated in many exercises with the 4th CST in the past,” said Lieutenant Greg Ivanov, Commander of the DeKalb County Police Bomb Squad.  Ivanov noted that when new vehicles or equipment are received they contact the Civil Support Team to provide training on best practices and techniques. 

The 4th CST hosted the Atlanta Police S.W.A.T. Team, DeKalb County Police Bomb Squad, and the Federal Air Marshal Service Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response Team for a two-day joint training event at the Dobbins Air Reserve Base and Clay National Guard Center June 14-15, 2012. Atlanta and DeKalb County Police Departments each recently received fully equipped CBRNE response vehicles through a federal grant and the training was designed to familiarize personnel with equipment and emergency response procedures.

The first day of training included classroom instruction and hands-on learning for eleven different pieces of equipment. Practical exercises, conducted on the second day, cemented the classroom learning.

“The best part of the training for me was the field training exercises and the discussions that came out of it,” said Airman 1st Class Seth Perry, a Survey Team Member with the 4th Civil Support Team. “This allowed us to discuss the different ways we each operate. It gives us the direction that we need to go to make it easier for us all to operate together.”

When asked why his agency decided to participate in the training, Senior Federal Air Marshal Bob Hansen stressed the appreciation for the chemical and biological detection equipment involved.

“(We) wanted to see the capabilities of the other agencies and equipment, said Hansen. “If we need that type of equipment, we know who to contact.”

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