SONOMA, Calif. (March 20, 2018) - The California National Guard's Homeland Response Force (HRF) and 95th Civil Support Team will join California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), FEMA Urban Assistance Team 7, and several other emergency response agencies for a terrorism and active shooter response exercise at Sonoma Raceway, March 21-23.
Local agencies across Sonoma and Marin Counties will come together to refine skills working together as one response team, including the North Bay Incident Management Team (NBIMT), Novato Fire District, Mill Valley Fire Department, Marin County Fire Department and more.
"It's only through regular, realistic training alongside our partner agencies that we keep our skills sharp and response times low," said Maj. Gen. David S. Baldwin, Adjutant General for the California National Guard. "These exercises establish the relationships and interagency coordination that is fundamental to an effective response during emergency incidents."
With the magnitude of this drill, the public should expect:
- A variety of marked vehicles entering and exiting Sonoma Raceway throughout the day on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
- A variety of helicopters in the air above and around the raceway. The helicopters will have large sensors mounted on the front of the aircraft and will be used to simulate emergency response victim transport.
- Possible sounds of explosions, gun fire and audible loud speaker voice directions.
- The majority of drill activity will take place on Thursday, March 22, between the approximate hours of 7 a.m.-11:30 a.m. This drill is not for public viewing, but may affect traffic flow in the nearby area of Sonoma Raceway.
For more information, contact Novato Fire District Public Information Officer Sandy Wargo at 415-310-6125 or email at [email protected].
