State of Ohio Participates in National-Level Military Exercise
Written by WKTN Staff on July 17, 2019
The Ohio National Guard and Ohio Emergency Management Agency are the hosts of Vigilant Guard 2019, a national-level exercise that is cosponsored by U.S. Northern Command and National Guard Bureau.
Scheduled for August 5-8, 2019, VG19 is a four-day exercise that will test the state’s disaster and emergency response capabilities with a simulated cyberattack event that subsequently causes utility failures and disruptions.
Emergency response to hazardous material accidents, civil disturbances, and radiological incidents will also be tested.
Exercise activities and venues will take place in Athens, Clark, Columbiana, Franklin, Greene, Guernsey, Hamilton, Knox, Licking, Portage, and Washington Counties.
“Vigilant Guard is an exciting opportunity to test and showcase the coordinated disaster response and recovery abilities of Ohio’s military and civilian personnel,” said Ohio EMA Executive Director Sima Merick. “This exercise will enable us to practice our emergency response plans and procedures using a whole community approach. It will make us all better able to serve our great citizens and make our state a safer Ohio.”
“This will be the largest exercise Ohio has ever conducted. We will have 90 local, state, and federal agencies from across the country participating in Vigilant Guard,” according to Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr., Ohio adjutant general. “This exercise will allow us, as one joint force, to comprehensively test the readiness of the National Guard alongside our partner agencies, in order to be better prepared to protect our citizens and our state when a disaster hits.”
The public may notice a heavier than usual presence of military personnel, aircraft and equipment, first responders, and emergency vehicles. VG19 will also have civilian volunteers serving as mock accident victims. Emergency responders will exercise search and rescue, medical trauma treatment, and first aid application.
For additional information on emergency preparedness, visit:
www.ema.ohio.gov
www.ready.ohio.gov
