EOD team leader instructs first responders

Tech. Sgt. Aaron Clark, EOD team leader, 914th Airlift Wing Civil Engineer Squadron, instructs various base first responder personnel on the removal of an EOD bomb suit at an exercise on Thursday, September 1, 2016. The exercise showcased interoperability of base and local first responder units in a simulated bomb attack. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Richard Mekkri/released)

EOD team member faces decontamination

Staff Sgt. Joseph Kulczyk begins the decontamination process during a drill on Thursday, September 1, 2016. The drill was a simulation involving multiple agencies showcasing interoperability on base in case a radioactive incident were to take place. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Richard Mekkri/released)

Niagara members prepare for decon

Members of the 914th Airlift Wing Fire Department prepare to enter a decontamination station as part of an exercise on Thursday, September 1, 2016. The exercise showcased interoperability of base and local first responder units in a simulated bomb attack. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Richard Mekkri/released)

Team Niagara holds multi-agency exercise

Published Sept. 6, 2016
By Public Affairs Office
914th Airlift Wing

NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION -- Agencies from various base and community organizations came together for a hazardous materials exercise here Sept. 1.

The exercise kicked off at 9 a.. when base security forces members “found” a suspicious package. The exercise showcased the interoperability of base and local first responder units in a simulated “dirty bomb” scenario.

Staff Sgt. Joseph Kulczyk, 914th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal team member, was a participant in the exercise. His role was to follow from a safe distance as the EOD team chief approached the bomb.

If anything were to happen to the team chief,” Kulczyk said, “if he gets injured or blown up, I’d rush in drag him to a safe area and take him to the decontamination area.”

Kulczyk said that EOD practices an exercise like this on an annual basis but that this is the first time, to his knowledge, where so many contributing agencies were involved.

Participating members included 914th security forces, fire department, civil engineer emergency management, explosive ordnance disposal units and the Niagara County HAZMAT team.