Katahdin Shield 2024

Katahdin Shield 2024 Logo

What was Katahdin Shield 2024?

Whether natural or man-made, effective response to disasters requires multiple different agencies from different levels of government to work together. Dealing with the aftermath of a hurricane, a hazardous materials spill resulting from a major train derailment, or the adversarial use of a toxic substance in a populated area will require first responders and emergency managers at the municipal, state, and federal level to work as a team. Maine Army National Guard’s Civil Support Team (CST), supported by Maine Emergency Management Agency, sponsored this full-scale exercise to assess response and mitigation efforts by responders and emergency managers to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear (CBRN) and explosive hazards, as well as to practice interagency communication, information sharing and coordination to complex man-made disasters.

More than 30 agencies participated comprised of National Guard assets, Federal Agencies, Law Enforcement tactical and bomb teams as well as fire and hazmat teams. The public should be aware that any observed military, law enforcement, and fire response activities during the exercise are part of a simulated scenario and not indicative of a real-life emergency.

When did this happen?

The exercise took place the week of June 3 – 6, 2024.  Vehicles and teams arrived the first weekend in June as agencies geared up for the week of events.

Where did this happen?

Activities took place across the state with significant activity in and around Casco Bay in Portland and South Portland, Fort Williams, Winthrop and Houlton. Citizens were asked not to interfere with operations so that the exercise could be conducted as planned.

Why did this happen?

Large exercises like Katahdin Shield provide an opportunity for agencies and departments that don’t normally work together to train alongside each other and to practice crucial functions like sharing resources, communicating effectively, and sharing information. Every agency conducts training; police and fire departments, emergency medical services, hazardous material response teams, etc…, and this training typically focuses on what they are most likely to deal with.  Complex disasters like those described above typically exceed the capabilities of individual agencies, and often overwhelm the resources of a single city or county.  Managing the consequences of a large disaster requires a team effort, and the best way to prepare for these events is to train as a team.

Training events of this size and scope Katahdin Shield are not common but do occur periodically across the United States.  It is challenging for multiple different entities like the National Guard, state and local emergency management agencies, and responders from multiple jurisdictions and/or states to train together, but this kind of training is essential to ensure that when needed, all of these partners can work together effectively to protect and save lives.

Complex disasters can take many forms and can happen any time.  There is no individual event or trend that Katahdin Shield was designed to prepare for. Instead, it was an opportunity for the people and teams that work hard to prepare for emergencies of all kinds to practice their skills together and provide each other resources, support, and feedback.  There is no single team, agency, or department that can handle a major disaster by themselves, but when all of these groups train and work together, there is no disaster they can’t handle.

What is a Civil Support Team?

The 11th Civil Support Team (CST) is a Maine National Guard unit composed of Army and Air Force personnel whose mission is to support local, state, and federal first responders and emergency managers in the event of an accidental or intentional release of hazardous materials. The CST supports its civil partners by identifying hazardous materials, assessing potential consequences, and advising and assisting on how to respond to and mitigate hazards. This mission supports the traditional role of the National Guard in supporting states and the nation during natural and man-made disasters. Each state and territory in the United States has a Civil Support Team, who primarily support missions within their home state/territory but are capable of deploying to other states to provide additional support in the event of a major disaster.

Contact

For questions about the Katahdin Shield 2024 full-scale exercise please contact:

LTC Ian Hepburn
Commander of the 11th Civil Support Team, Maine National Guard
Ian.d.hepburn.mil@army.mil
(207) 430-5888.

Backup Contact:
Deborah Lord
State Exercise Officer, MEMA
Deborah.J.Lord@maine.gov
(207) 707-2923