For the first time, Army Sustainment Command hosted Defense Support for Civil Authorities Phase II training, bringing together ASC employees and local community leaders. The training was conducted at the Stoney Creek Inn in Moline, Ill., March 17-21.
The DoD Defense Support of Civil Authorities Course focuses on training senior military officers, Department of Defense civilians, and staff to ensure the DoD's readiness to support its Homeland Defense and Civil Support missions. 5th Army facilitated the training.
Over 60 persons attended the training, including mayors from Rock Island and Moline, Ill., and Davenport, Iowa, along with city staff members. In addition, there were over 15 federal, state, and local agencies represented.
ASC plays a critical role in support for natural disasters in the United States.
"5th Army and their responsibility, and Army Sustainment Command and our responsibility overlap for support for any operations that are required in the continental United States," said Maj. Gen. Robert M. Radin, commanding general of the U.S. Army Sustainment Command.
The course introduced participants to national, state, local, and DoD statutes, directives, plans, command and control relationships, and capabilities with regard to disaster and emergency response.
ASC has already had an active role in homeland defense and disaster response missions .The Logistics Civil Augmentation Program provided support for Defense agencies in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. ASC also had people ready to provide contracting support for last summer's California wildfires.
"Our goal is to make sure we're clear on our ASC roles and missions and also our links with our community and other agencies - so in the event something happens, we're all focused on solutions," said Radin.
Intending to raise awareness and improve responsiveness, US Army North offers the course throughout the country. According to Maj. Gen. Michael Taylor, senior course mentor, the ASC-Quad Cities response was exceptional.
"It's been a great turnout in the Quad Cities he said. "This is a very unique case - the highest number of local participants we've ever had,' he noted. Both ASC personnel and local authorities commented on how the interaction between agencies was critical in providing support in an event of a disaster.
"It's been a great experience to meet a lot of the first responders from Moline, Davenport and Rock Island," said Lt. Col Jayne Jansen, ASC G7. "You don't want to meet somebody for the first time in a tragic situation."
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