MILLINGTON, Tenn. - An earthquake followed by a fire and subsequent chemical leak had west Tennessee firefighters scrambling, so they called on the National Guard for help.
That was the scenario in play today at the Shelby County Fire Department's training center at the Naval Support Activity Mid-South. It's just one event that is part of the massive Vigilant Guard 08 exercise being held in Millington. The exercise demonstrates the Guard's response in the aftermath of a simulated earthquake that devastates Memphis and much of West Tennessee.
"We really taxed all the local government's resources," said Mike Gill, a lieutenant in the Millington Fire Department. "We had three separate incidents and we really needed help."
When members of the Illinois National Guard's 5th Civil Support Team arrived on the scene, the situation was tense. There was a spill at a chemical repacking plant that caused over 500 homes to be evacuated. Several workers were injured while others were trapped in a collapsed building.
"The CST came in prepared to do what they could to help us, but they didn't come in and try to take over." Gill said. "They just came in and helped us."
Gill said the scenario could easily happen in real life. If it did, the Guard's medical, security and hazardous materials handling skills would easily compliment, enhance and support his department assets.
The initial site survey was done by a pair of Illinois Guard Soldiers attired in BG4 chemical suits. Sgt. 1st Class Ed Ruhrop led the two-man team and was joined by Spc. Jordan Schissler.
Moving in the heat of the day clad in the nearly 40-pound suits, the pair surveyed the area around the fire and chemical spill. They planted markers that would give their unit an indication of the degree of contamination the incident had loosed on the area.
Ruhrop, a full-time Guardsman who hails from Bloomington, Ill., said the heat was the biggest challenge the pair dealt with during their survey of the area. The bulk of the suits makes the temperature inside them at least 15-30 degrees hotter than outside.