95th CST CBRNE Radiation Emergency Response Training
Bakersfield, California, February 27-28th, 2025: 95th CST CBRNE Radiation Emergency Response Training
Our latest CBRNE Radiation Training Exercise unfolded in Bakersfield at the Kern County Fair & Event Center—an industrial and agriculturally productive area with a unique mix of residential neighborhoods, business districts, two nearby schools, and extensive farmlands. The two-day training event was designed to bring multiple response agencies together in preparation for a simulated radiological incident. The exercise began with a day of classroom instruction, which included practical exercises for equipment operators and a Table Top Exercise (TTX) for local, state, and federal stakeholders. The second day of training consisted of a Full-Scale Exercise (FSE) at the Kern County Fairgrounds, where a simulated “dirty bomb” leaves in it’s wake a cloud of radioactive dust settled onto the ground (simulated by over 70 radioactive samples) to be surveyed and mapped.
Hosted by the California National Guard’s 95th WMD Civil Support Team (CST), the exercise included twenty participating agencies from local, state, and federal jurisdictions. Coupled with the unique urban setting of Kern County, this level of participation added layers of complexity to the simulated dirty-bomb scenario, presenting responders with a wide range of real-world challenges.
For those unfamiliar, the National Guard’s WMD Civil Support Team program fields specialized units designed to support civil authorities during any life-safety incident, however they are specialists in domestic CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and high-yield Explosives) incidents. They can support local responders by identifying threats, assessing consequences, advising on response measures, and assisting with requests for additional support. The 95th WMD CST is located in Hayward, CA, but supports counties all over the State.
As part of their ongoing mission to enhance preparedness and training, our nation’s CSTs help fund critical exercises for local and regional agencies—providing access to training opportunities they might not otherwise have.
Our Hazmat Resource Training team is honored to be a part of these large-scale, multi-agency events, where collaboration strengthens our nation’s ability to prepare for crises we hope never come. Prepared. Confident. Ready to Respond!
Special thanks to the 95th CST, CalOES, the FBI, and all the volunteers!
More than just a radiological response training focused on fire departments, hazmat teams, bomb squads, and law enforcement agencies, this exercise extended its reach to other key stakeholders. Public and environmental health officials, emergency services personnel, Public Information Officers (PIO), and Department of Energy (DOE) Radiological Assistance Program representatives played vital roles; working alongside first responders to engage with families, the community, and local media—ensuring a coordinated and effective response in the face of potential emergencies.
How can we help you maximize your training budget?
The following gallery shows some of the agencies, responders and equipment/gear used during the event. Click to enlarge images . . .
A wide array of Day 2 video is also available, contact info@hazmatresource.com if any photos or videos are needed for your own editing. All participating attendees and agencies are welcome to download and use these photos. Kindly hashtag #hazmatresource #hazmatresourcetraining #hazmatroadshowtv as appropriate.
Participating Agencies
- 95th WMD Civil Support Team
- Bakersfield Fire Department
- Kern County Fire Department
- Fresno City Fire Department
- Visalia Fire Department
- Bakersfield Police Department
- Kern County Office of Emergency Services
- Kern County Human Services
- Kern County Public Health
- Kern County Public Health, Environmental Div.
- Kern County Public Health, Emergency Services Div.
- Kern Medical Center
- California Department of Public Health ROSS Program
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Department of Energy Radiological Assistance Program (Team #7)
- California Statue University, Bakersfield
- California Office of Emergency Svs.
Hazmat Resource Training - Exercise Development
- Experience & Expertise: Our arsenal of instructors include retired Civil Support Team leaders, retired Hazmat Specialists, certified California Specialized Training Institute (CSTI) instructors, and former Department of Public Health officials that bring decades of real-world experience, along with a passion for training, to every exercise.
- Effective Planning: In preparation for multi-agency exercises, Hazmat Resource reviews operational area plans, mutual aid agreements, and relevant regulatory frameworks to challenge the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders with grounded, realistic injects and exercise-driven events. Exercise planning is always done collaboratively with stakeholders and trusted agents.
- Equipment and Technology Focused Training: Every incident requires both a technical and an operationally-focused response. In order to solidify ICS principals and validate mutual-aid SOPs, refresher training for diagnostic equipment and radiation-incident best practices (as published by FEMA) were reviewed in a classroom setting prior to the FSE.
- Multi-Agency Advantages: Hazmat Resource facilitated the involvement of additional stakeholders at the local, state, and federal level, growing the exercise from eight participating agencies to twenty. Increasing the scope of participation can bring more training resources, budget, and realism to any training event. Let us help you increase the effectiveness of your training budget!
Signup for upcoming notifications
Additional CBRNE training exercises are being planned, stay tuned for more information!
When it’s time for your teams next specialized training be sure to contact our team to discuss options, budgets & grants, or connecting with your governmental resources.
A big thank you to Dave Martinez from ORTEC Radiation Detection for volunteering as an event Controller and showcasing the ORTEC Detective X Ultra High Resolution HPGe Radioisotope Identification Device and the RADEAGLET-R Radioisotope Identification Device at our hazmat radiation training event!
Subscribe to Hazmat Roadshow TV to see the video highlighting this latest training when posted HRTV on YouTube >>
#cbrn #cbrne #wmd #radiationtraining #radiationsafety #emergencytraining #emergencypreparedness #firefighter #firefightertraining #firedepartment #caloes #eodtech #lawenforment #fbi #federalbureauofinvestigation #bakersfield #kerncounty #fresnocounty #hazmat #hazmatsafety #hazmattraining #hazmatteam #hazmatnation #hazmatresource 95th CST CBRNE Radiation Emergency Response Training
