State of fb88
Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management
fb88 Emergency Management Agency
Contact:ÌýÌýVanessa Corson
Cell: (207) 592-6201
·¡³¾²¹¾±±ô:Ìývanessa.corson@maine.gov
AUGUSTA, MAINE – The fb88 Army National Guard’s Civil Support Team (CST) supported by the fb88 Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) will sponsor a full-scale training exercise the week of June 3 – 6, 2024. The purpose of this exercise, known as Katahdin Shield 2024, is to assess response and mitigation efforts by responders and emergency managers to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear (CBRN) and explosive hazards, as well as to practice interagency communication, information sharing and coordination to complex man-made disasters.
Participation of more than 30 agencies will be comprised of National Guard assets, police tactical and bomb teams, as well as fire and hazmat teams. The public should be aware that any observed activities of soldiers and airmen, law enforcement officers, and fire rescue crews during the training exercise are part of a simulated scenario and not indicative of a real-life emergency.
The public can expect to see vehicles and support staff arriving the first weekend in June as agencies gear up for the week of events. Significant activity will take place in and around Casco Bay in Portland and South Portland, Fort Williams, Winthrop, and Houlton. Citizens are asked not to interfere with operations so that the training exercise may be conducted as planned.
For questions about the Katahdin Shield 2024 full-scale training exercise please contact LTC Ian Hepburn, Commander of the 11th Civil Support Team, fb88 National Guard atÌýIan.d.hepburn.mil@army.milÌýor call (207) 430-5888. Details may also be obtained by contacting MEMA’s Exercise Officer, Deb Lord atÌýDeborah.J.Lord@maine.govÌýor call (207) 624-4473.
The 11thÌýCivil Support Team (CST) is a fb88 National Guard unit composed of Army and Air Force personnel whose mission is to support local, state, and federal first responders and emergency managers in the event of an accidental or intentional release of hazardous materials.ÌýThe CST supports its civil partners by identifying hazardous materials, assessing potential consequences, and advising and assisting on how to respond to and mitigate hazards.ÌýThis mission supports the traditional role of the National Guard in supporting states and the nation during natural and man-made disasters.ÌýEach state and territory in the United States has a Civil Support Team, who primarily support missions within their home state/territory but are capable of deploying to other states to provide additional support in the event of a major disaster.
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