Soldiers gain new knowledge, skills in DSCA Workshop

SEAGOVILLE, TX, UNITED STATES

07.22.2016

Story by Spc. Christopher Hernandez 

345th Public Affairs Detachment

✔ ✗ Subscribe

9

“DSCA is the Defense Support of Civil Authorities, which is very specifically the support any military entity gives to a civil authority when requested to do so,” said Robert Stabb II, an emergency management specialist from the Homeland Operations Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Spearheaded by Terry New, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region VI’s Civil Military Project Officer assigned to the 76th ORC, Salt Lake City, Utah, the DSCA Workshop is a three-day event that trains Soldiers how to effectively use their manpower and assets to assist personnel from FEMA, firefighters, law enforcement, and other organizations in disaster response situations.
“My duties include training commanders and leadership for units in the Army Reserve on how to respond to DSCA and whether it’s a minute response request or a mission assignment,” New said. “We teach the commanders how to respond in a time of crisis, their do’s and their don’ts, and their left and right limits.”
In addition to teaching Soldiers essential response and planning measures during disaster events, New also stressed the importance of community relations in DSCA operations.
“We also encourage [Soldiers] to make contact with the community leadership and develop relationships with them so they know that we are available to assist them in a time of crisis under certain circumstances,” New said.
Military and civilian leaders from the 76th ORC continuously work to increase the amount of awareness about DSCA throughout the Army Reserve.
“What’s great is that we’re out spreading the word about DSCA operations,” said Col. Michael Oliveri, the Texas Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer (EPLO) from the 76th ORC, Salt Lake City, Utah. “Units need to understand how they may be involved and what their roles in DSCA operations may look like.”
“What I hope the Soldiers gain from the [workshop] is to understand the basics of defense support of civil operations, and they’re also able to spread the word back to their units and pass on the information that they gathered here over the last couple of days,” Oliveri said.
The Army Reserve Soldiers that participated in this workshop echoed the thoughts of Oliveri, stating their appreciation for the content and training delivered by the instructors.
“Before this training, I did not know that the Army Reserve could be mobilized in support of civil authorities,” said Capt. Amanda Tovey, a veterinary corps officer from the 195th Medical Detachment (Veterinary Services), Baton Rouge, La. “I’m going to be able to take this knowledge back to my unit, and it feels great to know that we can use our skills to not only help abroad, but also to help in the homeland.”
Commanders from Army Reserve units that attended the course also expressed satisfaction with the training modules.
“The information that was provided on immediate response authority and the limitations that the commander has or has to deal with and plan for was extremely helpful and very important,” said Lt. Col. Jeremy Baran, the battalion commander of the 319th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, Harlingen, Texas.
Baran further elaborated upon how Soldiers can assist states in disaster response situations in which vital assets may be scarce or completely non-existent.
“One of the challenges you have is the possibility of a state not having the available resources,” Baran said. “The Army Reserve in particular has a unique opportunity and unique capability in the logistics and support role to support a state, local municipality, or wherever we may be needed.”
After the DSCA Workshop here in Seagoville comes to a conclusion, the 76th ORC plans to offer more iterations for Army Reserve Soldiers that want the opportunity to sign up for and attend the course.
“This is the 11th time that this type of class has been done, and I foresee that it will continue on in the future,” Oliveri said.