Showcasing Readiness: The Vital Role of Texas State Guard’s 2nd Brigade in Disaster Day Exercises

On March 1, 2024, the Texas State Guard’s (State Defense Force) 2nd Brigade showcased its vital role during the annual Disaster Day exercise, organized by the Texas A&M University Health Science Center. Held at the TEEX Disaster City site in College Station, Texas, this event simulated multiple disaster scenarios to provide a realistic mass casualty training environment. A total of 21 guardsmen from the 2nd Brigade participated, bringing expertise in medical response, ground search-and-rescue, and shelter operations. Contributions included medical personnel from the 1st Battalion, search and rescue team members from the 2nd Battalion, and support teams from the 3rd and 4th battalions, demonstrating a broad spectrum of disaster response capabilities. Brig. Gen. E.A. Buddy Grantham, commander of the 2nd Brigade, alongside leaders from supporting agencies such as TEEX, the Texas Emergency Medical Task Force, and other vital emergency response organizations, oversaw the exercise. This partnership facilitated a unique training opportunity for over 700 Texas A&M students, who led the interprofessional emergency response simulation, enhancing their readiness and collaborative skills for real-world emergencies.

The collaboration between the Texas State Guard and Texas A&M University for the Disaster Day exercise is an annual effort aimed at strengthening interagency operational cohesiveness. It serves as a critical platform for both organizations to refine their disaster response strategies and improve coordination. In addition to their involvement in Disaster Day, the Texas State Guard’s medical division is actively engaged in a variety of missions, including Operation Border Health Preparedness. This operation is another hallmark of their commitment to serving Texans, where an extensive network of healthcare professionals from within the State Guard, including doctors, nurses, and Emergency Medical Technicians, is mobilized annually. Their mission focuses on delivering crucial, cost-free medical services to the state’s most vulnerable populations, further emphasizing the Texas State Guard’s readiness to assist in a myriad of emergency situations. Through such initiatives, the Texas State Guard remains “Ready for Anything!”, fulfilling its promise to protect and serve with distinction.

Guardsmen of 2nd Brigade, Texas State Guard, provide medical, ground search-and-rescue and shelter operations leadership support in the wake of multiple simulated disaster incidents during Texas A&M University Health Science Center’s “Disaster Day”, a mass casualty simulation, at Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service – TEEX Disaster City site, College Station, Texas, March 1, 2024. A total of 21 guardsmen contributed to the success of the exercise, including medical personnel from 1st Battalion, Search and Rescue (SAR) team members from 2nd Battalion, support teams from 3rd and 4th battalions for shelter operations and support staff from brigade headquarters. Brig. Gen. E.A. Buddy Grantham, 2nd Brigade Commander, reviewed the exercise, meeting with leaders from all the supporting agencies including TEEX, the Texas Emergency Medical Task Force, the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), the Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services USA, Pulsara, the Information Technology Resource Center and @St. Joseph Health Air Med 12 Emergency Helicopter Response team.

Guardsmen partnered with Texas A&M University Health Science Center to provide trained support and leadership to assist the more than 700 students during this student led interprofessional emergency response simulation, the largest of its kind in the nation. Student teams came together to diagnose, treat and care for volunteer patients and populations. Participating students are better prepared to respond to emergencies, and learn vital skills to practice collaboratively upon graduation. This type of exercise allows guardsmen to train in a realistic scenario alongside other agency partners to be better prepared when an emergency occurs. Well done! 2nd Brigade is ad omnia parati, “Ready for Anything!” (Texas State Guard photos by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Gregory Illich and Warrant Officer 1 Michael Faber) #duty #honor #texas #TXMilitary #TexansServingTexas #disasterday #txlege

Source: Texas State Guard