NewYork National Guard to Stand Up Homeland Response Force

Special Force Will Be Trained to Respond to Chemical, Biological, and Radiological Incidents

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LATHAM, NY (07/14/2010)(readMedia)-- The New York National Guard is taking the lead in Department of Defense and National Guard efforts to establish a force to deal with chemical, biological, radiological and high-yield explosive incidents.

The Homeland Response Force (HRF), which will also include elements from the New Jersey, and Virgin Islands National Guards, is due to become operational in 2012.

The New York National Guard will provide two key elements of the HRF: the Command and Control element built around the Troy-based 42nd Infantry Division; and a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and High Yield Explosive (CBRNE) Task Force.

The New Jersey National Guard will provide a security element, while the Virgin Islands will provide personnel to augment the Command and Control element.

The HRF is one of ten that will be organized in each Federal Emergency Management Agency region. New York is part of FEMA Region 2, which includes New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands as well.

The Puerto Rico National Guard will stand-up a separate chemical, biological and radiological rescue, recovery and decontamination unit as part of its contribution to this effort.

The creation of the HRFs is a part of the Department of Defense reorganization of its domestic chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high yield explosive (CBRNE) consequence management enterprise, initiated during the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review.

This reorganization will ensure the military has a robust ability to respond rapidly to domestic CBRNE incidents while recognizing the primary role that the governors play in controlling the response to incidents that occur in their states.

"The New York National Guard is well-configured to take on this expanded mission, " said Brig. Gen. Patrick Murphy, the Adjutant General of New York.

" Our National Guard currently mans one of 17 National Guard elements designed to respond to chemical, biological and radiological attacks. We have two Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Units, and our 42nd Infantry Division is preparing to assume the responsibility as one of two Domestic All-Hazards Response Teams in the nation," Murphy said.

"In partnership with the National Guard's of New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands we are ready to take on this new role," Murphy added.

Each HRF will provide a regional response capability of approximately 570 personnel composed of CBRNE specialists, command and control and security forces.

The HRF will be able to:

• Deploy within 6 to 12 hours.

• Deploy using its vehicles.

• Conduct search and extraction and decontamination.

• Provide immediate medical care in a contaminated environment.

New York already operates one of 17 National Guard CERFPs –CBRNE Enhanced Response Force Package units-- and two Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Teams, one at Stratton Air National Guard Base in Scotia, NY and another at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn.

Current plans call for the Troy-based 42nd Infantry Division headquarters to serve as the command and control element of the FEMA Region 2 HRF.

The 42nd Infantry Division has served in Iraq and is tasked with leading New York National Guard emergency response forces in both New York City and the Capitol Region.

The headquarters is currently preparing to serve as the command element for one of two Domestic All-Hazards Response Teams (DART established by the National Guard to coordinate national domestic emergency and disaster responses.

The 42nd Infantry Division will be relieved from the DART mission by 2012, and experienced in domestic response missions.

New York's existing CERFP will transition into a HRF CBRNE Response Task Force as an integral part of the HRF.

The New York National Guard CERFP is currently led by the 104th Military Police Battalion in Kingston. It is comprised of:

• Medical elements from the New York Air National Guard,

• The 222nd Chemical Company from New York City,

• The 1156th Engineer Company from Kingston,,

• And the New York Guard, state defense force.

The New Jersey National Guard will provide the joint 200-member security force from both its Army and Air units, while the Puerto Rico and Virgin Island National Guards will also contribute capabilities.

Because the New York CERFP will now become part of the HRF, the Puerto Rico National Guard will stand up a CERFP as one of the 17 authorized by Congress.

The FEMA Region 2 HRF is due to be operational by Sept. 30, 2012. The New York National Guard's goal is to have the HRF operational by the end of August 2012.