Reps. Foncello, DeCaprio Visit With National Guard Members
Hartford–Two members of the state legislature, who are military veterans, visited with members of the Connecticut National Guard to tour their STEM Trailer and two hi-tech Civil Support Team (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear detection) vehicles. Representatives Martin Foncello (R-107), an Army veteran who served for 23 years in the Reserves and National Guard, and Mark DeCaprio (R-48), a navy submarine veteran who coordinated hazardous materials emergency response with DEEP, met with Guard members on Tuesday, April 4th.
“I was pleased to meet with a former Brookfield resident who is currently serving in the guard. Air Force Master Sgt. Connor Thomas showed us a communications systems vehicle which can coordinate response efforts between the military department, state police and others during a crisis, right from the field,” added Foncello.
The support vehicles are used for the Connecticut National Guard’s recruiting and retention efforts. The STEM trailer is preparing to be deployed to schools to get kids interested in science and show how the equipment can be deployed for civilian and military uses.
“There’s a place for science in the military. It’s not all infantry. I have a chemistry background and that was helpful while I served with the Army in the Chemical Corps and dealing with weapons of mass destruction,” said Foncello.
Science Officer Captain Joyce Avedisian and Captain James Grindley, medical operations, displayed an analytical laboratory system the 14th Civil Support Team uses. The mobile lab is less than a year-old and has an approximate ten-year lifespan, though the equipment inside will be updated as needed before that time.
“In that lab, they’re able to take samples and test right on site. This came in handy during COVID in communities that didn’t have testing capabilities. We learned they can also test polluted water or soil from a spill and give incident command an idea of what they’re dealing with so they can put restrictions in place and start a clean-up,” said DeCaprio.
The lab is based in Windsor Locks at Camp Hartell.