Ohio National Guard Adds 140 Jobs for Homeland Response Force

June 4, 2010
Courtesy of Ohio National Guard
Columbus, OH, United States

Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland announced June 3 the Ohio National Guard has been authorized to field a Homeland Response Force (HRF) by the U.S. Department of Defense and the National Guard Bureau. To meet the readiness requirement of the HRF, more than 140 new full-time jobs will be added to the Ohio National Guard's force. Ohio and Washington are the first two states to field this national capability.

"This authorization underscores the incredibly high level of skill and preparedness demonstrated by our Ohio men and women, and reinforces the confidence that I and our federal leaders have in our Ohio National Guard, especially Adjutant General [MG] Gregory L. Wayt," Strickland said. "I'm proud that Ohio has been chosen with such a critically important designation, and I know that our Guard will fulfill their duty with strength and professionalism."

The HRF will consist of approximately 570 Soldiers and Airmen, trained and equipped to identify, respond to and mitigate the effects of a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or high-yield explosive (CBRNE) event. HRF's are designed to respond rapidly to various contingencies within Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regions or support adjacent FEMA regions within six to 12 hours of receiving an activation order from the governor and the adjutant general. Organic to the HRF are security, search and extraction, decontamination, medical triage and a command and control element.

"The addition of this HRF is nationally significant and greatly improves our ability to defend the homeland," Wayt said. "Our existing decontamination, medical and search and extraction elements are nationally certified and have demonstrated their abilities to save lives."