South Carolina State Guard Prepares for Hurricane Season With In-Depth Training

The South Carolina State Guard’s Advanced Disaster Area Resource Team (ADART) recently spent their weekend training drill focusing on a multitude of tasks to prepare for hurricane season. They first ensured their skills to quickly establish shelters and radio communications were up to standards. The troops then received training on debris clearance operations which required learning how to operate and maintain chainsaws. Debris clearance is vital during a hurricane as trees can quickly make roads impassable. Lastly the troops ran Point Of Distribution exercises to ensure when the next hurricane hits they can provide the essential supplies to the citizens of South Carolina in a quick and efficient manner.

It is hurricane season and to make sure that the SC State Guard remains “Trained and Ready”, members continually take part in exercises to build and sharpen their skills.

Last weekend, the 1st Civil Support Brigade’s ADART team conducted a Field Training Exercise (FTX) on Johns Island, SC. ADART is the State Guard’s Advanced Disaster Area Resource Team. During the FTX, soldiers established two Western Shelters and radio communications for a mobile TOC during a post-hurricane response scenario. The team then received training on debris clearance operations with chainsaws and ran a Type III Point of Distribution operation. Troops also trained in how to handle large animals, such as horses and livestock, during disaster situations (in conjunction with instructors from Clemson University and local law enforcement).

Source: South Carolina State Guard