Midwest National Guard states, Army Reserves talk support to civil authorities

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SPRINGFIELD, IL (04/17/2014)(readMedia)-- JOLIET, Ill. – Leaders from Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin National Guard, the U.S. Army Reserve as well as, representatives from the defense coordinating elements from region V/VII met April 8, in Elwood, Ill., to discuss homeland response and training opportunities.

"In a major catastrophic event, the victims and first responders are our neighbors and we have to get this right," said Brig. Gen. Daniel M. Krumrei of Springfield, Ill., the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard. "We must integrate seamlessly because it is immensely important."

The National Guard has always been the military's first responder. Recent changes in the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act authorize the Army Reserve to also support civil first responders under immediate response authorities.

"The intent of the meeting was to build solid relationships between the National Guard and Army Reserve," said Brig. Gen. Richard Hayes of Springfield, Ill., The Assistant Adjutant General-Army, Illinois National Guard. "The meeting also helped gain a better understanding of Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA) between the components in the Midwest."

The meeting was driven by the deadly tornado that affected Washington, Ill., in November and the quick response to assist victims by the 724 Transportation Company, an Army Reserve unit stationed in Bartonville, Ill.

"The meeting was a valuable opportunity to build relationships with each of the National Guard offices located in the 103rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command's (ESC) five-state geographic footprint," said Brig. Gen. Arlan M. DeBlieck, Commanding General, 103rd ESC, U.S. Army Reserve. "Interoperability between the Guard and Reserve is becoming increasingly important, especially during this time of fiscal constraints. I look forward to collaborating with the National Guard on training opportunities and exploring different ways the Army Reserve can support in the event of a homeland natural disaster or emergency."

Each state has an emergency management agency supported by a regional office of the federal emergency management agency. These agencies routinely train and exercise on incident command system protocols and follow a variety of mutual aid agreements. The agreements follow specific emergency response capabilities such as, search and rescue, emergency medical, fire and law enforcement.

"Our challenge, as the Army National Guard and Army Reserve, is to understand, train and exercise in the framework of incident command and mutual aid with states or multiple states, during complex catastrophes to provide relief when the civil first responders have been exhausted," said Hayes.

Civil agencies have created this framework to achieve a unity of effort and provide appropriate capacity for the size of event.

"We have a no-fail contract with our Governors and citizens," said Krumrei. "And we must do everything we can to prepare our military to respond when the communities call."

Maj. Gen. David J. Conboy, Commanding General, 416th Theater Engineer Command, U.S. Army Reserve, expressed how great the meeting was to discuss Army National Guard, Reserve and civil authority capabilities.

"When called upon, we can most effectively respond to the needs of our citizens in the event of a national emergency or disaster," he said.

Leaders from Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin National Guard and Army Reserve, discuss homeland response and training opportunities, April 8, at the U.S. Army Reserve Center in Elwood, Ill. (Left to right) Illinois Army Reserve Ambassador Jack Kotter; Maj. Gen. David Conboy, Commanding General, 416th Theater Engineer Command, U.S. Army Reserve; Brig. Gen. Richard Hayes of Springfield, Ill., The Assistant Adjutant General-Army, Illinois National Guard; Brig. Gen. Daniel Krumrei of Springfield, Ill., The Adjutant General, Illinois National Guard; Brig. Gen. Arlan DeBlieck, Commanding General, 103rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, U.S. Army Reserve; and Illinois Army Reserve Ambassador John Moulton.

Leaders from Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin National Guard and Army Reserve, discuss homeland response and training opportunities, April 8, at the U.S. Army Reserve Center in Elwood, Ill. (Left to right) Col. Jon Jensen, Minnesota Army National Guard; Col. Julie Gerety, Wisconsin National Guard; Brig. Gen.Mark Michie, Land Component Commander, Wisconsin National Guard; Illinois Army Reserve Ambassador Jack Kotter; Maj. Gen. David Conboy, Commanding General, 416th Theater Engineer Command, U.S. Army Reserve; Brig. Gen. Richard Hayes of Springfield, Ill., The Assistant Adjutant General-Army, Illinois National Guard; Brig. Gen. Daniel Krumrei of Springfield, Ill., The Adjutant General, Illinois National Guard; Brig. Gen. Arlan DeBlieck, Commanding General, 103rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, U.S. Army Reserve; Illinois Army Reserve Ambassador John Moulton; Brig. Gen. Roy Webb, Assistant Adjutant General-Army, Iowa National Guard; Brig. Gen. Phillip Owens, Director of the Joint Staff, Michigan National Guard; and Illinois Army Reserve Ambassador William Hawes. Col. John Duguay, Chief REPLO, FEMA Region V and Col. Calvin DeWitt, Defense Coordinating Officer, FEMA Region VII also attended the event.