CENTENNIAL, Colo. -- By order of Gov. Jared Polis, Soldiers and Airmen from the Colorado National Guard Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and high-yield explosive Enhanced Response Force Package based at Buckley Air Force Base, Aurora, Colorado, are continuing to support testing of Coloradans who have symptoms of COVID-19 while training testing teams throughout the state.
CERFP members tested more than 300 people in Denver, Aurora and Boulder, Colorado, May 26-28, 2020.
At the request of the Colorado Unified Coordination Center, the team is also educating civilian staff at testing sites and leaving kits behind for them to safely conduct testing on their own.
“We are here to help our partners across the state become self-sufficient with regard to testing,” The Adjutant General of Colorado U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Mike Loh said. “Our long-standing community partnerships will increase testing capacity and help turn the tide against COVID-19 in our state.”
The CONG mission has changed from conducting testing at a site to using Mobile Testing Teams to educate site staff on proper swabbing and decontamination procedures to prevent cross-contamination.
About 400 CONG members are mobilized for the COVID-19 response in Colorado. About 60 are on duty with Task Force Test Support.
About 175 CONG members are supporting the City and County of Denver to shelter people in Denver experiencing homelessness.
The 50 Soldiers who assisted the Unified Command Group and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to convert the Colorado Convention Center in Denver and the Ranch Events Complex in Loveland into a medical shelter have completed their mission and are being reassigned.
CONG planners are supporting local emergency operation centers in Colorado communities that the state has designated.
All CONG members have been medically screened and are on Title 32 federally funded orders under state control.
While the Department of Defense has not yet notified the CONG to extend our federal orders beyond 89 days, we are standing by following the president’s and governor’s announcements.
We continue to protect our force and families and all Americans, maintain our readiness, and support our local, state and federal partners to stop the spread of COVID-19 and save lives.