Va. Guard's CERFP, 34th CST host capabilities demonstration for civilian leaders, first responders - Aug. 26, 2015

Soldiers and Airmen from the Virginia National Guard’s Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear High Yield Explosive Response Force Package, also known as the CERFP (pronounced “surf-p”), and 34th Civil Support Team conduct a capabilities demonstration Aug. 26, 2015, in Richmond, Va. The demonstration was designed to educate local, state and federal law enforcement, firefighters and medical personnel with what the units can do and how to request their assistance. The CERFP can conduct tasks associated with incident management, urban search and rescue, mass causality decontamination, technical decontamination, medical triage and treatment and fatality search and recovery. The force is made up of Soldiers and Airmen from Virginia Guard units based in Petersburg, West Point, Rocky Mount and Langley Air Force Base, as well as personnel from the Washington, D. C. Air National Guard. The Fort Pickett-based 34th CST supports first responders in potential biological, chemical, nuclear, radiological and explosive incidents. The unit can identify chemical, biological, and radiological substances, assess current and projected consequences, advise an incident commander on response measures and assist with requests for additional state support. In addition, personnel from the Virginia Defense Force demonstrated their mobile command post trailer which can provide communication capabilities over several different types of networks, both digital and analog. The VDF is an all-volunteer force authorized by the Code of Virginia and organized under the Virginia Department of Military Affairs reporting to the Adjutant General of Virginia.