FORT KNOX, Ky. - Recently, the 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) had Soldiers participate in the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Incident Command System - 400 training held at Fort Knox.
The ICS-400 course was geared to all emergency responders to include firemen, emergency medical services personnel, law enforcement, and public health and works personnel.
The course explained how major incidents pose special management challenges, described the circumstances in which an area command is established, and described the circumstances in which multiagency coordinating systems are established.
Attending the training for the 3d ESC was Master Sgt. Michael Williams, the command's host nation noncommissioned officer in charge, and Sgt. 1st Class Mark Williams, a host nation NCO.
"The ICS-400 course that we participated in here was a great course," said Sgt. 1st Class Mark Williams, an Atlanta native. "From the hands on experiences, instructors and interaction with the group, this course was excellent and I would recommend it to anyone."
As a host nation NCO, Williams works to render assistance to foreign forces during peacetime, crises or emergencies, or war based on agreements mutually agreed on between nations.
This is important for the 3d ESC as a deployable unit, but things are mostly in the developing stages for the command in a non-deployed environment.
In the case of a disaster taking place, states rely mostly on their National Guard assets to provide assistance, not active-duty military.
But, with the 3d ESC now back from deployment, the command has sought to get plans in place and become part of the solution in the event of a disaster. While still not clear on a definite plan, having Soldiers attend the training was a stepping stone to what could occur in the future.
"This training is offered mostly for the emergency agencies on post or in the surrounding communities," said Joel Tiotuico, the chief of plans for Fort Knox's operation center and Elizabethtown, Ky., native. "With Soldiers involved in the training now, they would have more knowledge on how these agencies work, and be familiar with their processes and terminology."
In the event that the 3d ESC would be involved in the events surrounding a disaster, the command would act as a hub, similar to the role occupied by FEMA. The 3d ESC's subordinates units, the 7th Sustainment Brigade, 49th Quartermaster Group and 233rd Transportation Company, would act as emergency responders, supplying assistance wherever, whenever necessary. But even though this plan remains tentative, the command is working to become a fixture in the post's emergency plans.
"Things are still in the works for the 3d ESC's role as of now, but this could become clearer in the future" said Williams. "But, overall the training was excellent, with many years of experiences coming from the different agencies participating."
Story by Spc. Michael Behlin, 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) public affairs.
For queries, contact 3d Sustainment Command Public Affairs at: (502) 624-8601.
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