CHEYENNE, Wyo. – The 84th Civil Support Team and first responders of the 153rd Airlift Wing, Wyoming Air National Guard, responded to a potential threat involving white powder at the Air Guard base Oct. 20.
The Wyoming Air National Guard Fire Department, Emergency Management, and Security Forces were quickly on the scene to cordon off the mailroom and adjacent areas, evacuate the building, shut off the HVAC system, and establish a response command framework.
The American Medical Response and Cheyenne Fire Department provided patient care and additional entry assistance.
Members of the 84th CST helped identify and mitigate the suspicious powder, resulting in a multiagency entry. In addition, they performed proper decontamination to remove the package.
The 84th CST then analyzed the substance in their mobile laboratory and identified it as SAMPPI NPK 8-3-3 fertilizer.
Although it was harmless, the incident enabled all participants to demonstrate their proficiency in their functional areas.
Additional training is already in place to increase efficiencies with all agencies involved in these scenarios.
Still, the rapid response of the 153rd AW and 84th CST is a testament to the quality of their training and professionalism.