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WVU to participate in Operation Dawson Storm

E-News Announcement feature

A scenario planned for Saturday (July 22) in Morgantown at the former WVU Medical Center Apartments on Van Voorhis Road, will generate emergency vehicle and first responder activity as part of a West Virginia National Guard multi-location training exercise—Operation Dawson Storm.

University Police, Ruby Memorial Hospital and several volunteers from the University will be involved in the exercise.

The exercise will immerse military units specialized to respond to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives incidents in a regional level exercise to conduct Defense Support of Civil Authorities, and will take place in Preston, Monongalia and Kanawha counties July 20-25, in conjunction with military and civilian emergency response units within FEMA Region III.

The event’s purpose is to increase interoperability not only between units within the WVNG, but also with local first responders throughout the region. Participating units will take part in real-world training scenarios to maximize their proficiency and response capabilities.  

“Operation Dawson Storm is a unique opportunity for our Guardsmen to work alongside their civilian counterparts to prepare for a variety of emergency scenarios that could affect our state and region in our ongoing commitment to the safety and security of our fellow citizens,” said Brig. Gen. Paige Hunter, Joint Inter-Agency Task Force Commander.