Grissom emergency managers named best in command

Published April 2, 2013
By Tech. Sgt. Doug Hays
434th ARW Public Affairs

GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Grissom's emergency management office was selected as the Air Force Reserve Command Col. Frederick Riemer Outstanding Emergency Management Office of the Year for 2012.

"Our goal is always to be the best emergency management shop we can be," said Dan DeAngulo, 434th Civil Engineer Squadron base emergency manager.

The EM team, made up of part-time traditional reservists and full-time civilians, was lauded for their proactive training, inspections, self improvement, contingency responses and exercise efforts for the year.

"A lot of what people see us do is exercise driven," said Scott Floyd, 434th CES emergency management technician. "We are the only AFRC base that is Department of Homeland Security exercise evaluation program compliant."

That level of training is vital as Grissom interacts with local, state and federal organizations, DeAngulo said.

Grissom provided chemical, biological, radiation and nuclear decontamination training for a regional FBI weapons of mass destruction special weapons and tactics team and served as a key-coordinator in nine, full-scale and three table-top exercises with local law enforcement, emergency managers and federal entities such as DHS and Department of Energy.

"People can see what we're doing and we're being asked to get involved in more and more training opportunities here," said Bob Wydock, 434th CES base deputy emergency manager.

"The more visibility we can get at Grissom the more we can get others to utilize our facilities," said Floyd. "It just shows people what Grissom can offer - and we have great facilities. Why not use that?"

Signs that trend has started is clear as the EM team coordinated a regional FBI conference with more than 200 attendees.

During the conference they coordinated an aircraft hijack response, CBRN decontamination and live explosive demonstrations.

It's big events like this that help Grissom maintain its footprint on the area, Floyd said.

The teamwork in the office helps to make that footprint more visible.

"I'm proud of how good Bob and Scott are as emergency managers," said DeAngulo. "Both are really, talented and have a great work ethic. They are willing to take on hard projects and ensure they get done."

"We work well together," Wydock echoed. "And, we do a good job of managing things that are within our control."

Another high visibility event the EM staff spearheaded was a joint, off-base Grissom EM and Civil Air Patrol major accident response exercise.

The team deployed a mobile communications center trailer with joint incident site communications capability.

They were praised by the CAP and the Miami County Emergency Management Agency for their detailed coordinated response.

"Knowing our counterparts is crucial to improving our incident response efficiency," explained DeAngulo.

While involvement in off-base or interagency activities works to strengthen ties outside the base, the EM staff has also worked to tailor training inside the fence to help Airmen as well.

"We've tried to simplify CBRNE training--training people to the specific areas and threats they may be going to," said DeAngulo.

To do so, the EM staff is staffed on the main unit training assemblies, as well as at least one day on the alternate UTAs.

"One of our goals is to be an example for the rest of the career field," Wydock said.

And with the Col. Frederick Riemer award now on their mantle, the EM staff is well on their way to making that goal a reality.

Grissom is home to the 434th ARW, the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command, as well as three Army Reserve units and a Marine Corps Reserve communications detachment. Airmen, Soldiers and Marines routinely deploy from Grissom in support of the Department of Defense mission and U.S. strategic objectives.

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Grissom emergency managers named best in command

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