An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | April 18, 2014

Michigan National Guard disaster response team prepares for future calls

By Master Sgt. Denice Rankin Michigan National Guard

LANSING, Mich. - When natural and man-made disasters overwhelm first responder capabilities, the Michigan National Guard's Disaster Assistance Response Team can help.

Organized by Lt. Col. Edward Schmidt of the 110th Airlift Wing located at the Battle Creek Air National Guard Base and supported by members of the 110th Airlift Wing Office of Emergency Management (and others), the DART mission is to help save lives, safeguard public health and security, and mitigate property and environmental damage to Michigan's citizens and resources.

Guidance from Michigan National Guard Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Gregory Vadnais charged the DART with creating a blended pool of skills, uniforms and backgrounds who can quickly and efficiently deliver services throughout the state.

"Make the team joint. Don't promise what you can't deliver, and spread the team across the state," were his specific instructions.

The DART began training in March with almost 100 volunteers from the 110th Airlift Wing and Joint Forces Headquarters in Lansing. Representatives from Consumers Power, the Battle Creek Air National Guard Base chaplain's office, Psychological Health Associates, and other professionals, provided physical and psychological training in a variety of disaster scenario situations.

DART volunteers learned the proper procedure for securing downed power lines, handling hazardous materials, basic first aid and emotional support techniques in a classroom setting then went outside to practice safe chain-saw operations and debris-clearing processes under the supervision of Battle Creek Air National Guard Base civil engineers.

The group also observed an operational Joint Incident Site Communications Capability system which provides mobile communications capabilities (phone, Internet, satellite) when traditional network services are inoperable. Army Brig. Gen. Phillip Owens, spoke with the training team about their importance during disaster recovery and emergency response in Michigan.

"In a disaster, you guys will be where the rubber meets the road," said Owens who serves as the assistant adjutant general for Michigan National Guard Joint Operations.

With the initial training completed, the team is preparing for two upcoming exercises where its status will be assessed by the base commander, Col. Ronald Wilson.

Wilson will then determine if the team is ready to support the state in the event of a disaster. One requirement for all team members is an individual task.

All DART members must pass a number of Federal Emergency Management Agency online training modules before they can be on the team and officially activated. In an emergency, DART activation will be triggered by an order from the governor of Michigan to the MING adjutant general. The team will work in collaboration with MING headquarters to answer the call of duty when disaster strikes.

 

 

Related Articles
Maj. Gen. Thomas Friloux, adjutant general of Louisiana, discusses briefing details with Col. Augusto Villalaz, director of the Joint Staff for the Louisiana National Guard, during the annual Hurricane Rehearsal of Concept (ROC) Drill at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, May 21, 2025. The drill helps synchronize plans and strengthen coordination across LANG’s senior leadership ahead of hurricane season.
Louisiana Guard Rehearses Emergency Plans for Hurricane Season
By Capt. Peter Drasutis, | May 28, 2025
NEW ORLEANS – The Louisiana National Guard conducted its annual Hurricane Rehearsal of Concept (ROC) Drill at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Baton Rouge May 21, uniting key personnel across multiple commands to refine...

U.S. Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Regiment, New Hampshire Army National Guard, sling load a reduced range practice rocket to a Moroccan CH-47 Chinook during a multinational sling load operation at African Lion 2025 (AL25), May 17, 2025, in TanTan, Morocco. AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF,) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations - preparing forces to deploy, fight, and win.
New Hampshire Guard Teams with Morocco for Sling Load Training at African Lion 2025
By Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Forester, | May 28, 2025
TAN TAN, Morocco – Soldiers assigned to the 744th Forward Support Company (744TH FSC), 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Regiment, New Hampshire Army National Guard partnered with the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR), for...

From left, Sgt. Edward Acda, Lt. Col. Vern Perez, Sgt. 1st Class Celine Taitano, Capt. Ryan Arellano, Staff Sgt. Jovencio Mortera, and Sgt. Avery Tyquiengco of the Guam National Guard participate in Balikatan Cyber Defense Exercise, Manila, April 27, 2025. Balikatan is a longstanding annual exercise between the U.S. and Philippine armed forces designed to strengthen the alliance, showcase the capable combined force, and demonstrate the commitment to regional security and stability. (Courtesy asset)
Guam Guard Participates in Balikatan 2025 Cyber Defense Exercise
By Mark Scott, | May 28, 2025
MANILA, Philippines – A team of cyber professionals and an intelligence analyst from the Guam National Guard attended Balikatan 2025, participating in the three-week Cyber Defense Exercise alongside teams from various...