Washington Guard, Thai delegation visit HAMMER training facility

By Air Force Capt. Sandy Smock
Washington National Guard

Thailand firefighters attend Washington State Partnership tour to receive overview of firefighter training opportunities. 
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HANFORD, Wash., (9/28/09) -- Washington National Guard members joined a delegation from Thailand for a tour of the HAMMER training facility located here as part of the Washington National Guard’s State Partnership Program Sept. 25.

The State Partnership Program (SPP) between Washington and Thailand was created in March 2002. The SPP maintains a long-term relationship designed to share the military’s “best practices” with civilian authorities, emergency management, disaster planning, port security, hazardous materials and weapons of mass destruction (HAZMAT/WMD) response initiatives and airport security.

Everyone involved in the partnership is a willing partner, who can bring their expertise to the team and contribute to the mission. It is not a reactive program, but instead it builds upon preparedness for future emergency events.

Members of the Washington National Guard have worked with first responders from Thailand to build their skills in port security, fire fighting, search and rescue and command and control.

“Helping the Thais to protect their ports from a terrorist attack or natural disaster is of vital concern to us,” said Col. Scott Elder, member of the Joint U.S. Military Advising Group.

The SPP also facilitates economic, commercial, social and cultural government interactions in addition to military-to –military expert exchanges.

Today, 50 states, two territories, and the District of Columbia are partnered with 61 countries around the world.

The HAMMER training facility motto is “Training as real as it gets” due to so many possible scenarios for students. The facility offers training in areas such as vehicle hazard material leaks, urban search and rescue, spill mitigation, trench/tunnel collapses, fall protection and confined space safety.

Along with international training opportunities the facility provides regional support to the Port of Benton, Tri-Cities Airport, Fairchild Air Force Base, SeaTac International Airport and McChord Air Force Base.

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