Cadets Support Lancaster County Emergency Management

The 155th Composite Squadron assisted the Lancaster County Emergency Management Agency at the full-scale emergency exercise at Lincoln Municipal Airport on Wednesday, September 18. Cadets from the 155th previously trained in the Salamander Personnel Emergency Identification and Tracking System, assisted in the event by tagging in over 150 volunteers and personnel. The event focused on preparing emergency response volunteer capabilities and providing practice to respond in a real-world scenario.

Assistant Communications Officer, 2nd LT Aubrey Gerlach commented, “The exercise went very well in my opinion even with it being one of our first interagency exercises. Once we arrived and were given to the Salamander Team we helped out with the check-in process and guided those to the correct check-in station as they were split up into, groups media/ PIO, observer controller, and players.” He continued to say, “ it was great that we were trained beforehand and just like anything else, the more practice the better.” 

To gain Salamander experience, last July, the 155th Composite Squadron hosted an interactive training session with Lancaster County Emergency Management Deputy Director, Amanda Burki, and Training Specialist, Rayce Hoole. The session focused on the Salamander system, a critical tool for checking in personnel and inventory assets during emergency operations.

Ms. Burki led the squadron through comprehensive, hands-on training on the assembly and use of the Salamander system. Participants actively engaged in the exercises, gaining practical experience and demonstrating their newly acquired skills. This training provided invaluable insights into executing a rapid tag event and managing personnel check-in processes during emergencies.

The session concluded with an evaluative exercise, where squadron members showcased their understanding of the Salamander system through a series of practical demonstrations. This was followed by a "hogwash" discussion, allowing for constructive feedback and discussion of best practices.

In addition to the hands-on training, Ms. Burki provided an insightful overview of the Incident Command (IC) System. She highlighted its importance and functionality in emergency management, discussing the branches of IC and the role of the Plans section within the system. The information gave cadets a greater understanding of where the Plans section fits in the bigger picture. All attendees greatly appreciated her expertise and guidance.

The 155th Squadron's participation in the July training and September 18 drill underscores their commitment to readiness and excellence in emergency management. Their acquired expertise has significantly strengthened their operational capabilities.

For More Information:

Wilma Gerena

Public Affairs Officer