Houston & Peach

Perry site part of massive disaster training for military, civilian responders

Members of Georgia and California task forces rescue a victim during a multi-agency emergency exercise at the Guardian Centers Sept. 30, 2015, in Perry.
Members of Georgia and California task forces rescue a victim during a multi-agency emergency exercise at the Guardian Centers Sept. 30, 2015, in Perry. jvorhees@macon.com

The Guardian Centers in Perry is among five locations across Georgia hosting disaster and emergency response training for military and civilian responders.

The joint natural disaster response exercise, known as Vigilant Guard 2017, will take place March 27-April 2 and involve over 8,000 personnel from six states, according to a news release. It’s sponsored by U.S. Northern Command and the National Guard Bureau.

It will give the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and the Georgia National Guard the opportunity to improve collaboration in emergency preparation, response and recovery with federal, regional, local, civilian and military partners, the release states.

The main scenario involves a simulated Category 3 or 4 hurricane landfall on the Georgia coast. Other scenarios include a disease outbreak, cyber-attack, chemical spill, search and rescue, collapsed structure and medical mass casualty, according to the release.

At the Guardian Centers, National Guard soldiers and other emergency personnel will respond to a simulated building collapse with trapped casualties and the release of hazardous material. Response times also will be tested.

Other training locations are: Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta, Fort Stewart, Fort Gordon and Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany.

Jennifer Burk: 478-744-4345, @jennburk

This story was originally published March 1, 2017 at 2:25 PM with the headline "Perry site part of massive disaster training for military, civilian responders."

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