Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        National Guard Office of Special Victims' Counsel

    Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Article View
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 Air Force provides money-saving hazardous-materials training to Pennsylvania Soldiers By Master Sgt. Marelise Wood
                386th Air Expeditionary Wing
 SOUTHWEST ASIA - In a joint effort between the firefighters of the 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron and a deployed Pennsylvania Army National Guard battalion, more than 60 National Guard Soldiers have been trained in the handling of hazardous materials, enhancing their emergency response skills and saving government dollars. Army Capt. Eric Knight, the commander of Charlie Company, 55th Brigade Special Troops Battalion from the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, first approached the Air Force firefighters about doing HAZMAT training with them so that his Soldiers could become more proficient and return to their units as subject matter experts. This sparked a series of classes that began in late May. "Since the end of May, we have held classes almost every week, training over 60 Soldiers," said Tech. Sgt. James Boyd, the Fire Station 2 station captain. Boyd, who is deployed from the Illinois' Air National Guard's 126th Air Refueling Wing, said he saw the training as a win-win for all concerned. "It was not only the right thing to do, but we're saving the government money," he said. The Defense Department HAZMAT Operations Level class, a 40-hour course, can cost thousands of dollars at a civilian institution, Boyd said. That figure is before including the per diem entitlements the Soldiers would have incurred to travel to the school nearest to their respective units. Here, Boyd and other members of his squadron were able to oversee the Soldiers as they completed the course online, perform reviews, conduct the test and perform practical application - all requirements for successful completion of the course. Members who complete the course are DOD certified and gain the knowledge needed to be able to perform basic control, contamination and/or confinement operations in a HAZMAT situation. "This is one of the worst classes for us as firemen," Boyd said. "The material is dry and challenging. The hands-on (portion) is very physically demanding." But, the Soldiers involved saw the benefit of the training and embraced it with gusto. "After taking the online course, the Air Force classroom and practical exercises helped bring the training to light," said Army Staff Sgt. Matthew Frey. "I was confused at the beginning but by the end, I had a much better understanding of the hazardous material training." Boyd said he was proud of the work the Soldiers put in. "For these Soldiers, which there were only four with any kind of first responder, law enforcement or fire-type experience, it was remarkable to me that they have an over 90% pass rate." The newly trained Soldiers will be able to incorporate the training into their home mission duties. Soldiers in garrisson at the Pennsylvania ANG are currently training in support of the Homeland Response Force mission. Units with an HRF mission provide quick-response medical, search and extraction, decontamination, and command and control capabilities as part of the DOD Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and high-yield Explosive Consequence Management enterprise.
 SHARE
 PRINT
 
 NY Army Guard Band Performs for Netherlands King and Queen
 By Eric Durr,
  Air National Guard Conducts Sentry Savannah Exercise
 By Master Sgt. Caila Arahood and Senior Airman Victoria Coursey,
  Hawaii Air National Guard Hosts Sentry Aloha Joint Exercise
 By Tech. Sgt. John Linzmeier,
  More
 Air National Guard Conducts Sentry Savannah Exercise Guard News • 5 hours ago
 Hawaii Air National Guard Hosts Sentry Aloha Joint Exercise Guard News • 7 hours ago
 National Guard, US Army North, FEMA Train for Hurricane Response Guard News • 7 hours ago
 Cal Air Guard F-15 Pilots Train with Marine Corps F-35 Pilots Guard News • 8 hours ago
 Tennessee Guard Rescues Hiker in Great Smoky Mountains Park Guard News • 3 days ago
 2024 (193)  2023 (427)  2022 (526)  2021 (697)  2020 (936)  2019 (387)  2018 (323)  2017 (346)  2016 (245)  2015 (356)  2014 (399)  2013 (469)  2012 (556)  2011 (533)  2010 (1071)  2009 (357)  2008 (638)  2007 (295)  2006 (188)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil