National Guard Chemical Warfare Training Scheduled In Guthrie

Next week, an area in downtown Guthrie will buzz with activity for a multi-agency training exercise.

The training hosted by the Oklahoma National Guard will give local law enforcement and fire fighters a hands-on experience, teaching them the best way to approach a possible terrorist chemical lab.

On the outskirts of Guthrie's historical downtown sits a mostly vacant old county building.

But next Wednesday, the Oklahoma National Guard will turn the six-story building into a training site simulating a terrorist chemical lab.

Several law enforcement agencies including Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the Logan County SWAT Team, Oklahoma City's bomb squad, and several fire departments will take part in the training.

“We will see how they would respond to it then we will show them how we would respond to it. So if something like that happened then we wouldn't be shaking hands on the first day,” said Lt. Col. Scott Houck, Oklahoma National Guard.

The 22 man team is part of the state's Civil Support Team. A team often called out by local agencies to assist during their investigations.

“We're specifically designed to respond to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear incidents with in the state,” said Lt. Col. Scott Houck.

The federally funded program provides the tools many departments can't afford.

First Sergeant Michael Treanor explains these training exercises are meant to not only showcase the team's abilities but also to build relationships with local law enforcement and fire departments.

“Most cases they didn't know what we could provide. They may have heard of us or something like that, but they didn't know the level of detection we can do,” said First Sergeant Michael Treanor, Oklahoma National Guard.

Tools that can provide local agencies the answer they need in seconds.

“All of our chemical agent monitors can give you a reading within 10 to 15 seconds of what it believes it is,” said First Sergeant Michael Treanor, Oklahoma National Guard.

The training will take place next Wednesday, August 26, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.