Members of the Texas State Guard will be training at Lamar University and in downtown Beaumont in conjunction with the university’s Department of Earth and Space Sciences as a member of the Columbia Regional Geospatial Service Center System May 7-11.
Through the newly established partnership, Lamar’s earth and space sciences department will expand its instruction and research in geology, earth and space sciences to include Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Geographic Information Systems.
The exercises reinforce the use of geospatial tools, maps and images for emergency response. The Columbia Center at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches provides geospatial training specifically for first responders, homeland security directors, National Guard units, fire and police personnel and other individuals with specialized duties during emergency situations. The center also offers training to local, regional and state government employees on how geospatial activities can be used in daily routines.
The guard will conduct field exercises in downtown Beaumont and on campus. On the morning of May 9, the guard will carry out “urban land navigation” exercises in the downtown area. Field exercises on campus will be conducted in the vicinity of Cardinal Stadium. In the afternoon, they will do a field-reconnaissance exercise. A simulated search and rescue will be held at the Lamar University Environmental Learning Center, a 1,200-acre wilderness area on the Neches River just south of Colliers Ferry Park.
On the morning of May 10, the guard will be at the university for a search and rescue exercise that will simulate hurricane (or tornado) damage to the campus. Ground flags will be placed across campus, generally near buildings, signifying and noting type of damage.
On the morning of May 11, guard members will run a rescue, recovery and damage assessment field exercise at the Lamar University Environmental Learning Center. Cardboard containers marked “training” and mannequins —causalities—will be placed in the area for discovery.
Questions may be addressed to Jim Jordan, professor of earth and space sciences, at (409) 880-8236, or Charles Ashton, Columbia Regional Geospatial Service Center, at (936) 676-9873.
