388th CBRN Soldiers train with local first responders, children bring new level of realism
U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers with the 388th Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Company, out of Junction City, Wis., participated in a joint training exercise at the Stevens Point Municipal Airport Oct. 3, 2015. The 409th Area Support Medical Company out of Madison, Wis. and local Stevens Point and Portage County officials participated and observed. Local civilians volunteered to role play as casualties, including a family with two small children, bringing a new level of realism to this exercise and giving Soldiers real world experience in the delicate handling of children in mass casualty decontamination scenarios. The joint exercise gave everyone involved a chance to experience what their role would be in a real world emergency. Army Reserve Soldiers play a supporting role to the local officials, so it is vital to learn how to communicate and coordinate across organizations.