Nellis emergency management team trains with Nevada counterparts Published March 7, 2011 By Master Sgt. John Asselin Nellis Public Affairs NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- The 99th Civil Engineer Squadron Emergency Management Flight recently joined up with the Nevada Army Guard's 92nd Civil Support Team to train together to respond to emergency chemical, biological or nuclear situations. The joint training gave the two teams an opportunity to learn each group's procedures and terminology, according to Capt. Nick Agle, the 92nd CST survey team leader. "We do the same mission, so it is always beneficial to work with our counterparts," Captain Agle said. "We also work closely with metro [Las Vegas Police], fire departments and FEMA. We are a state asset; we have reach beyond Las Vegas, so we work to make them [counterparts] aware of who we are and what we can do to assist them." The two teams exercised three different scenarios in sensitive site exploration and sensitive site assessment, said Tech. Sgt. Jeff Berry, noncommissioned officer in charge of the 99th CES Emergency Management Flight. During the exploration scenario, the team suits-up in protective gear, enters a sensitive site, and identifies the location of potential hazards and prioritizes them for assessment. "They paint the picture for the sample team," Sergeant Berry said. "They can then develop an entry plan and priorities." The teams also participated in two assessment scenarios, Sergeant Barry said. "The teams tested samples of open liquids placed on a table," he said. "They then can pass the information they find to leadership so they know what hazards they have to deal with." The teams also used the training to practice operating while wearing their bulky protective equipment. "We don't get enough suit time, so this is good," Sergeant Berry said. The 92nd CST stood up in 2005 and consists of 22 full-time active National Guard and Reserve members. It is a joint unit with Army and Air Force personnel and is one of 57 teams located across the country. Each team is made up of the same basic package with the same training teams from each state.
