Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs

Soldiers assigned to Detachment 2, Charlie Company, 2-149th General Support Aviation Battalion, deactivated their unit during a ceremony held at Papago.

We are sad to see it go, but are excited to look ahead to the future of medical operations that will continue here in the Arizona National Guard.

To learn more about the incredible history of Charlie Company and the amazing soldiers involved, tap the link below ⬇️

https://www.dvidshub.net/news/567650/arizona-national-guard-honors-medevac-unit-during-deactivation-ceremony

📸 Brian A. Barbour

Last week, agency leaders got a deep dive into how state agencies coordinate with DEMA/FEMA during crises, plus critical lessons learned from the recent Globe/Miami flood events.

Interagency collaboration in action! 🌲🌊

☀️ Beat the Heat: Summer Safety is a Community Effort! 🥵💦

The summer heat has officially arrived in Arizona, and temperatures are climbing fast.

Extreme heat causes more weather-related illnesses and injuries each year than any other hazard in our state—but most of it is entirely preventable if we look out for one another.Whether you are working outdoors, staying home, or hitting the road, keep these essential safety practices top of mind:

💧 Hydrate and Cool Down: Drink plenty of water throughout the day, even if you don't feel thirsty. Stay inside air-conditioned buildings during peak heat hours (usually 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM), and avoid sugary or caffeinated drinks that can dehydrate you faster.

👵 Check Your Neighbors: Take a few minutes to check on elderly neighbors, friends, and family members who live alone or may not have reliable air conditioning. Make sure they are staying cool and hydrated.

🐾 Protect Your Pets: Animals feel the heat just as much as we do. Ensure outdoor pets have access to plenty of fresh, cool water and deep shade all day long. Remember: if the asphalt is too hot for the back of your hand, it's too hot for their paws! 🐶🐱

🛑 Never Leave Anyone Behind: Check the back seat every single time you park your car. Internal vehicle temperatures can reach lethal levels in minutes for children and pets.Let's stay safe, look out for our community, and keep cool this summer!

🛡️🌵🔗 For full heat wave safety resources, tips, and guidelines, visit: ein.az.gov/hazards/extreme-heat

Help is give a BIG CONGRATS 🎊 🎉 to newly promoted Col. King!

Congratulations on your promotion and best of luck in your future endeavors!

For more coverage, tap the link ⬇️

https://www.flickr.com/photos/azein/albums/72177720334074773/

🎓 Upgrade Your Skills: Emergency Management Training Across Arizona 🛡️🌵

True emergency readiness is built on continuous education. DEMA’s Training Branch is dedicated to equipping emergency personnel, tribal nations, local government officials, and community partners with elite, professional-grade training.

Whether you are looking for local workshops or pathways to specialized out-of-state federal programs, we have the resources to help you step up your capabilities.

🏫 How to Access Training:

💻 The Acadis Student Portal: This is your central hub for all upcoming emergency services classes. You can browse schedules, view course descriptions, and track your certifications. (Note: First-time users will just need to click "Acadis Instructions" on our portal to quickly set up an account).

📍 Request a Local Delivery: Want a specific course brought directly to your community? You can request local training deliveries in coordination with your County or Tribal Emergency Management Agency by submitting the official DEMA/EM Training Event Request form.

Don't wait for the next crisis to sharpen your skills. Explore the portal today and keep Arizona resilient! 🏢✨

🔗 Log in and view available classes on the Acadis Student Portal here: [Insert Acadis Portal/Website Link]

Behind the Scenes: The Four Pillars of Arizona Emergency Preparedness 🛡️🏢

When disaster strikes, response teams don't just figure it out on the fly. True resilience is built during the quiet blue-sky days, long before an emergency ever happens.

That vital groundwork is the mission of DEMA’s Preparedness Section. This critical section coordinates directly with local communities, tribal nations, and non-governmental agencies across Arizona through four distinct, specialized branches:

📋 Planning: Developing comprehensive, proactive strategy blueprints that outline exactly how the state and its partners will respond to everything from extreme heat to complex disasters.

🎓 Training: Educating and equipping emergency personnel, volunteers, and community leaders with the specialized skills needed to handle high-stress crisis scenarios.

🛠️ Exercising: Putting those plans and skills to the test! By running regular drills, simulations, and full-scale exercises, our teams identify gaps and sharpen their instincts.

🤝 Response Coordination: Bringing community groups and emergency services together into a unified front so that resources get exactly where they need to go without delay.

By focusing on these four pillars every single day, the Preparedness Section ensures that when Arizona faces a crisis, our communities are ready to stand strong together. 🌵✨

Congratulations to SSG Manhas and SSG Phyfer from the 91st Civil Support Team (CST) for finishing in 2nd place at the 2026 CBRN Best Warrior Competition!

They demonstrated world class readiness and physical stamina to secure a second place podium finish out of 27 elite teams during a 74-hour event that included 19 demanding tactical and technical events. 😰

The competitive field was highly diverse, consisting of 18 active duty Army teams, three National Guard teams, and six international partner-nation teams.

Notably☝️, our competitors represented a select minority as they were one of only two teams representing the 57 units of the CST community. Their stellar performance on this grueling national stage directly reflects the elite lethality, specialized expertise, and relentless drive they bring to our mission set every single day.

Help us give them round of applause for representing the state of Arizona with pride‼️

The Army celebrates the 251st birthday of the !

During the traditional cake-cutting ceremony, Spc. Erick Zacarias and Master Sgt. Mark Torres used a ceremonial saber to mark the occasion. In military tradition, the oldest and youngest service members cut the cake together to represent the passing of from the unit's history to its future, symbolizing the continuity of military traditions across generations. Our veteran's legacy is our foundation. As we modernize, we build upon the proud heritage you established. Thank you for your service.

🚨 Meet the Tech Hazards Branch: Preparing for the Unseen ☢️🏭

When we think of emergency preparedness in Arizona, wildfires or monsoon storms usually come to mind. But behind the scenes, there is a dedicated team working to protect the state from highly specialized, complex threats.

Say hello to the Tech Hazards Branch! 👋🛡️

This critical division helps Arizona stay ready for, respond to, and recover from complex technological emergencies involving:

☢️ Radiation & Nuclear Threats: Ensuring emergency personnel, monitoring equipment, and response plans are locked and loaded to protect public health from any radiological incidents.

⚡ Energy Disruptions: Coordinating with utility partners to handle major power grid failures or fuel supply shortages, keeping our critical infrastructure resilient.

It’s a massive job that requires precise coordination between federal, state, and local partners. Thanks to the Tech Hazards Branch, Arizona is always looking ahead and planning for every scenario—even the ones you can't see. 🌵✨