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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTexas National Guard Capabilities 386th Engr Bn 1962 In giving the capabilities of the Texas National Guard to support your Civil Defense organization, consideration must be given to the over- all State and National situtation. Your local unit might be called to assist in some area other than locally, however this is one of the assumptions that is necessarily tied to an enemy attack on this country. I feel that you can assume that in the event of a natural disaster or civil distrubance within this area your local Guard unit will be avail- able. In the event of a natural disaster, of which this community has ex- perienced several, or a civil disturbance, the local unit can support you with the following equipment: Bulidosers Truck mounted cranes Heavy wreckers Emergency lighting equipment Water purification equipment (210,000 gals per day) This equipment will purify from any sonnesre . Mobile and fixed radio equipment. A state -wide radio net is present - ly in operation for Guard units, and Civil Defense authorities can utilize this net if required Limited telephone facilities Vehicular transportation Limited demolitions with trained personnel Hand tools for rescue and evacuation Air oompressor truck with tools Radio meters with trained personnel for detection of radiation Gas masks Kitchen equipment for mass feeding Individual and crew served weapons for the National Guard Troops Hq, Hq Co 386th Engr Bn has approximately 185 officers and men avail- able. These men are trained in the basic principles of survival, first aid, fire fighting, general engineer work, limited chemical biological and radiological warefare, and, in other combat duties. In addition these men are trained to carry out orders issued by appointed superiors, and to work as teams on any assigned tasks. This is a most important asset, because it provides personnel that oan carry out jobs without the delay 4 and confusion generated by having to organise and orient groups of in- dividuals unknown to each other. For planning purpoeee it can be assumed that 75% of the personnel can be assembled in 45 Atm ntee, 90% within 14 hours. Your local unit can support itself completely far a long period of time. In addition to the general training just mentioned, your local unit can provide these special skills necessary in most disaster duty: 20 men trained in combat medical aid 5 men trained in food preparation and service 16 men trained In clerical and personnel nark 26 men trained in radio and telephone communications 10 men trained in eater supply 10 men trained as heavy equipment operators, and their supervisors 15 men trained far radiological surveys Thru our organic radio system an almost unlimited source of personnel and equipment can be readily made available from other rational Guard Unite. Now that we beve discussed what is available, just how can the Guard be called for assistance? We are governed by Memorandum Nr 34+ from The Adjutant General of Texas, this memorandum provides for military aid to Civil Authorities, The County Civil Defense Director has been furnished a copy of this memorandum. Generally this memorandum states that the Mayor, County Sheriff, County Judge, or District Judge can call upon the Guard for duty within their jurisdiction. However any duty must be approved by the Governer. The Governor will generally check with the State Director of Civil Defense for his recommendations before giving the approval. This does not necessarily mean that the Guard cannot go into action until the Governor says OK. The local unit commander can put his plan into effect immediately if the situation is critical. Let's take an example. SOW sort of natural disaster strikes the City of Bryan, after checking with the Diva Defense Director for the city and county, the Mayor feels that the Guard is required,, and he issues the call to the local unit. The Mayor must then notify the Governor by the moat expedious means that he has issued the call; the Guard unit commander must notify the Adjutant General of Texas that he has been called on for aid. The Mayor can save time by sending his notification to the Governor thru Civil Defense channels, this will usually get the State Civil Defense Director's approval, or disapproval immediately, thus speeding up the procedure, because the Governor will not normally authorize the use of letienal Guard troupe or equipment if the Civil Defense organization does met feel that they are necessary. The local Guard commander will have started his alert plan working inmediately after the Mayor called, and your assistance is on its way. Your local National Guard unit is designed to assist the Civil Authorities in tines of need, and they are ready and able to do so. The National t lard's disaster plan and the Civil Defense Organization's plan can and Emit work together for the mutual support of our common goal. Thru proper notification and Call proceeduree the Guard can give you fast and capable assistance.