In June 2010 the Indiana National Guard Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, received notice that the Indiana National Guard would receive additional personnel and equipment to focus on a critical homeland security mission. The Indiana National Guard, under the command of the 81st Troop Command, is manning and fielding a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and high-yield Explosive (CBRNE) Enhanced Response Force Package (CERFP). The CERFP will provide immediate response capability for the citizens of Indiana: incident site search capability of damaged buildings, rescuing trapped casualties, providing decontamination, and performing medical triage and initial treatment to stabilize patients for transport to medical facilities. The CERFP is comprised of four elements staffed by personnel from already established National Guard units. Elements include search and extraction, decontamination, medical, and command and control. The command and control team directs the overall activities of the CERFP, and coordinates with the Joint Task Force–State (JTF-State) and the incident commander. The search and extraction element is assigned to an Indiana Army National Guard Engineering Company, the decontamination element is assigned to an Indiana Army National Guard Chemical Company, and the medical element is assigned to Indiana Air National Guard Medical Groups. Additional security duties for the incident site and the four CERFP elements will be performed by the Indiana National Guard Response Force. See small-unit exchange photo essay from May 12-14, 2012. See training exercise photo essay from May 14, 2011. See training exercise photo essay from August 22, 1011. |