Center of Homeland Defense and Security

Admissions Essay for Center of Homeland Defense and Security

I became the Exercise Director on the day of a weapons-of-mass-destruction training event for US&R teams. And I would like to share with you that experience.

The setting: 2018 Sentinel Response - Northern California US&R RDD (radiological dispersion device/dirty bomb) exercise, held in Arco Arena, Sacramento, California. The scenario was set up around a catastrophic 6.8M earthquake along the Hayward Fault. Taking advantage of the aftermath, a Home-Grown Violent Extremist (HGVE) organization, “The Brotherhood,” detonated a box truck-borne RDD inside the stadium that was serving a refuge for earthquake evacuees. The notional detonation created a structural collapse of the stadium. Large portions of the interior and exterior scene were contaminated by radioactive materials. Three Northern California US&R Task Forces deployed to reinforce first responders on scene and integrate with CBRNE assets from the California National Guard.

The general control objectives for the incident included:

· Exercise the National Urban Search & Rescue Response System\'s \"Enhanced Operations in the Contaminated Environment\" procedures while conducting US&R operations in a simulated radioactively contaminated structural collapse environment.

· Evaluate all US&R Task Force members can safely conduct search, rescue/recovery operations within or near a known or suspected contaminated environment.

· Practice the augmentation or assumption of structure collapse search and rescue operations from first responders that are timing out due to radiation exposure.

· Conduct \"Wide Area Search\" using all appropriate means based in part of radiation levels and acceptable exposure to search canines.

· Monitor and decontaminate contaminated members of the public, first responders, and equipment.

Working together on tight deadlines can be a challenge, but having prior relationships with the team members on the Planning Team was immensely helpful. As we were already familiar with each other\'s style of communication and approach to problems, the amount of time typically devoted to getting to know one another was reduced. We instead were able to quickly establish an efficient process that allowed us to work through our goals quickly and effectively. Working in this collaborative environment created by prior relationships enabled us to complete a complex task with a limited timeline.

We integrated previous exercise weaknesses into the exercise to confirm improvement. We created a Master Exercise Scenario List (MESLs) to give all teams an opportunity to work multiple US&R mission problems including high angle rescue from a catwalk, low angle rescues, wide area searches, canine scenario, and decontamination. We utilized the 95th CST to put out a recommendation for personal protective gear (PPE) to include full mask respirators and BDUs or Tyvek suits. This was a basic function of the exercise to see if our teams could perform their tasks wearing the proper PPE.

Although we anticipated resistance among firefighters when it came to wearing their PPE, it was not an issue. When they are given a mission and the parameters, they get the job done. What we did not anticipate was the complete stoppage and collective agreement of canine handlers to not put their dogs in the radiological environment. As they were dressed in their PPE, integrated with someone monitoring the environment, and walking toward the smoke-filled building, the realization of the “environment” struck a nerve. If the handler needed a mask, so did the canine; however, a canine uses his nose to search the environment. The responses from the task force leaders (TFLs) varied, including pointing out that the dog is a tool, the dog won’t live long enough to get cancer, or, “Just get in there.” We needed a solution!

And we had one. Because of the live radiation sources on scene, we had a DOE Radiological Assistance Program (RAP) team member from the Lawrence Livermore Lab on site. We gathered the canine handlers and TFLs into one tent for just-in-time training/radiation education. The RAP member informed the group that there had not been enough studies or events conducted to have a definitive answer on the question of radiation effects on dogs, but team member posited that the canine life most likely would not be affected by the radiation “dosage” they would incur on this event. This information satisfied the canine handlers and they felt better about proceeding.

With that success, we decided to have all teams rotate into the tent for basic radiation education. We witnessed this bit of knowledge change the behaviors of the players from fearful to one of understanding. The near event-stopping incident sparked conversations at the national level. By our team sharing with our counterparts in Southern California, their exercise included just-in-time training for all participants and a special session for canines. At the national level, our next Incident Support Team (IST) training included a lecture on the first 100 minutes RDD response guidance with reference to our exercise. These exercises strengthened not only US&R team responses, but local jurisdictions, too, as most of us were first responders.

The mobilization drill was successful, overall—mainly because it gave us something to think about in terms of policy. The major derailment of an activity created enough of a firestorm to make it back to the US&R Program office. This recognition that our responders may refuse an assignment due to the event type is a real risk. At a policy level we need to be ready to mitigate that risk with effective planning. Ensuring our teams are fully prepared with equipment, training, and joint exercises is essential for continued success—but so too is the recognition that challenges can arise on the spot that will require flexibility of response and even immediate training and support to calm nerves and alleviate fears. From a policy standpoint, I believe that having the National Guard train alongside US&R teams strengthens our core capabilities.