GILBERT, Ariz. — The Arizona National Guard's 91st Civil Support team assisted local fire departments during a hazardous materials incident at an animal hospital Thursday morning.
Gilbert Fire Department initially responded to the scene after a 911 call reported a possible gas leak inside the clinic. Veterinary staff and animals evacuated the building and the Gilbert Fire Department's HAZMAT team made initial entry into the facility and, after detecting a toxic gas, made a request for further support from the National Guard.
"Once we entered the building, we were able to quickly assess the situation and provide critical information to the incident command team," said Lt. Col. Scott Hier, commander of the 91st CST. "Our ability to validate local responders' findings during an emergency demonstrates the value of training with these agencies in a controlled training environment."
The 91st CST is a joint unit comprised of members from the Arizona Army and Air National Guard that specializes in the detection and identification of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear materials. As subject matter experts in this field, their primary mission is to assist local, state and federal agencies during stateside incidents.
"The expertise and equipment that the CST can provide to us during incidents like this is a force multiplier to our efforts," said Josh Ehrman, deputy battalion chief and public information officer for the Gilbert Fire Department. "During this incident their response was invaluable by using their specialized detection equipment to verify our team's findings and ultimately helping us make the scene safe for the public."
The response to today's incident included HAZMAT personnel from Mesa, Gilbert, and Chandler Fire Departments, which is common during a real-world event. The seamless integration of these teams contributes to effective risk mitigation and a safe resolution.
"Working with regional first responders is not uncommon for the CST," Hier said. "We train regularly with the organizations on scene today. This helps with interagency cohesion and how well we fit into these kinds of incidents."
Congress authorized the first 10 Civil Support Teams in 1998. Today, there is a team in every state, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and two in California, New York and Florida. Their primary function is to identify hazards, assess consequences, advise on response measures, position themselves as a preventive measure, and assist with appropriate requests for additional support from partnering organizations.