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As declarations and federal funding remind us of recent natural disasters, and reports suggest there may only be more to come, there is good reason for the West Virginia National Guard to want to help as many organizations as possible be ready.
Earlier this week, the Guard joined with members of several civilian fire departments for a joint training exercise near Winfield, in Kanawha County. According to a report by WV MetroNews, the National Guard's All-Hazards Response team was joined by members of the Clendenin, Glasgow, Charleston, and South Charleston fire departments -- all of which have swift water rescue teams.
"I think you can tell by all of the teams who have come out from the local departments that everybody understands the value of this training," said Col. Todd Justice, director of joint operations for the Guard.
We know how crucial the Guard's involvement in rescue and recovery efforts has become as we continue to face storms and flooding across the state. Knowing officials hope to bring back such training twice a year is a comfort.
"They get a feel for aviation and the rotary wash when we're trying to do picks from the water. They get a feel for how to use our communication packages and we get a feel of how to work with our local partners because generally they are first on the ground," Justice told MetroNews.
Communication and experience are key. And because of exercises such as the one in Winfield, Mountain State residents know they can count on the Guard and our local first responders to be prepared to work together in times of crisis.
That is reassuring, indeed.