ARCUGNANO, Italy -- More than 20 Soldier volunteers from the Vicenza Military Community and members of the Vicenza Fire Department gathered here June 10-11 with the Civil Protection Triveneta Alpini National Association (ANA) in support of a local exercise to test emergency procedures with an earthquake response simulation.
The exercise involved associations, volunteers and civil protection agencies from three regions. The approximately 1,000 people were grouped in teams assigned in advance to 45 training locations.
The goal of the exercise was to verify the organizational capabilities, logistics, and management of ANA volunteers operating in a diversified territory.
Mainly, Americans were involved in two designated locations, in the towns of Villa di Fimon and Zovencedo, where they practiced routine procedures in partnership with Vicenza's local fire department.
Primo Mar.llo Luogotenente Antonio Quaglia, command sergeant major to the Italian Base Commander, coordinated for American volunteers to take part in the major exercise.
"Members of the Vicenza American community have been experiencing partnership with the Alpini chapter for several years," said Quaglia. In the past, VMC members volunteered for cleanup days, picking up trash, and cleaning hiking hills and paths around Lake Fimon.
"They have also repainted elementary schools in some Vicenza communities. Since they live in these towns, they feel like part of them," said Quaglia.
On the second day of the event, all volunteers took part in a parade through the streets of Arcugnano and were offered a lunch as a thank you for their support in the exercise.
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