American Legion
Fredonwarell Post 17
Strong National Security-Taking Care of Veterans-Mentoring Youth
Promoting Patriotism and Honor
American Legion Fredonwarell Post 17, Groveton: Post 17 Commander John J Normand is proud to announce the conclusion of the American Red Cross- American Legion Fredonwarell Post 17 Disaster Preparedness Exercise as a resounding success. On behalf of the more than 850 Post 17 Family members, all dripping with 4 pillars attitude, Commander Normand wishes to extend his sincere appreciation and a job well done to all the members of the Community Service Committee, under the leadership of Chair Jack Bernard, and the Disaster Prep Committee, Post Family members and those in the Community and beyond for making this important exercise a tremendous learning experience and supporting several facets of our mission in the American Legion.
As part of National Disaster Preparedness month, this exercise took place from 1400HZ, Friday, continuously through 1000HZ Sunday (14-16Sept2007) and included an incredible amount of logistical, technical, personal and monetary support and coordination to utilize the Post 17 home as a bed down emergency shelter and food preparation center for up to 50 potential disaster clients in the upstairs main hall alone. To our knowledge, an exercise of this scope and type has not been attempted, much less accomplished, on this scale in the entire Department of New Hampshire to date. Post 17 is happy once again to take a lead role and be a model of dedication and community service for other Post’s to emulate. The drill also included actual feeding and support for more than 80 first responders based at a remote location in the field hailing from across the state as part of a much wider collaborative effort for woodland fire training for state, local and Federal agencies. These included the NH National Guard, State Forest and Lands, 3 American Red Cross Chapters from NH and VT, Groveton Fire and Rescue, Groveton Ambulance, communications support effected by NHARES, (Coos County Chapter) and coordination and support from members from 4 American Legion Department of NH Posts including Post’s 21, 41, 68 and 17 (Concord, Whitefield, Littleton and Groveton, respectively).
More than 40 Red Cross professionals and volunteers were fed a sumptuous spaghetti dinner on the first night of training prepared by Unit 17 member and assistant kitchen manager Debbie Weeks. More than 14 of these volunteers and Post members actually did bed down at the Post on both nights of the exercise. Several dozen Patriotic rulers from Emblem sales were distributed to volunteers and lively discussion took place on the attributes of the Pledge of Allegiance and its importance. During one of the few moments of down time, William J Cowie, Post 17 Adjutant and DP+R Officer and, coincidentally, the Chairman for Department of NH Leadership Committee, garnered assistance from several dedicated Red Cross volunteers, to collate literature packets to be used at upcoming important leadership training seminars taking place across the Department.
In an important turn of events, the inclement weather made the exercise simulation scenario take on an air of realism in that the supervisor for more than 40 fire fighters in the field were requesting use of the Post 17 shelter for emergency bed down when circumstances made it apparent the field conditions were too harsh to safely bed down in the field. Post 17 Emergency Facility Manager/DP+R Officer William J Cowie made the immediate decision, following the request from American Red Cross Exercise Coordinator and Executive Director Dan Brennan, (Emergency Service Director ARC Granite Chapter- Concord, 225-6697) to approve of and support this potential need for enhanced services from the Post and change gears to expand the exercise into real life emergency mission support. Ultimately, no mass bed down was required. Commander Normand and Adjutant Cowie would like to recognize Northumberland police officer Blaine Hall for his professionalism and quick response in dealing with an actual incident that could very well have developed into a more serious situation. Officer Hall performed expertly and his contacts with local resources and professional training showed just how important communication is in the scope of such a very real disaster potential. Thank you Officer Hall and we are proud to have you on our force.
Commander John J Normand again expresses his sincere appreciation and admiration for all the dedicated individuals, on all levels, that made this first National Security and Community Service Exercise a resounding success. The American Legion Fredonwarell Post 17 Family stands ready and looks forward to again assisting in the future, if and when the needs arise.
Submitted most respectfully for Post 17 Commander John J Normand
For God and Country
William J Cowie
Post 17 Adjutant
Disaster Preparedness and Response Officer
Stark, NH
603-636-6085