Marine Corps Base Quantico -- No man is an island, and no Marine Corps Base is either.
Marine Corps Base Quantico (MCBQ) law enforcement and emergency services have mutual aid agreements in place with corresponding agencies in Prince William, Stafford, and Fauquier counties. In general, these agreements state that the Base can request assets from these jurisdictions in the case of an emergency.
“Prince William County has always been very willing and receptive in providing mutual aid to MCBQ,” said Joseph Riley, deputy police chief in the Base Provost Marshal Office (PMO).
“These agreements benefit us because they create good public relations with local communities,” said Charles Sullivan, Quantico Fire and Emergency Services chief.
There is a Marine Corps order for installation fire emergency services to enter into mutual aid agreements, Sullivan said. The agreement between the fire department and Stafford County was renewed in 2013. Agreements with Prince William and Fauquier counties were signed in 2004 and are currently being reviewed for renewal. And there is an agreement in place with Charles County, Maryland, about the Potomac River.
“Sometimes, we can respond to calls more quickly, because we’re always on duty here,” Sullivan said. “And they can stand by at our station if we get another call.”
There are three stations in the Quantico fire department, each with three engines, two ladder trucks and two medic units. If all are responding to calls, it’s helpful to have backup.
Sullivan said that Quantico responds to approximately 40 calls from Stafford and 15 from Prince William monthly. The number for Prince William County is lower because it has more career firefighters and Emergency Medical Technicians, as opposed to volunteers.
Sullivan said most of the calls are to assist with accidents on I-95 west of base.
“That’s a big piece,” he said.
There is one mutual aid agreement in place between the MCBQ PMO and Prince William County police.
Riley explained that protests of up to 300 people during the 2011 imprisonment of Chelsea Manning (born Bradley Manning), who was being held in the brig aboard base after her arrest for leaking classified information, led to the base requesting assistance from Prince William.
But obtaining assistance was difficult, as the main side of the base is under exclusive federal jurisdiction, meaning that only federal police can practice law enforcement there. On the west side, the state of Virginia and the federal government share law enforcement responsibility.
“Since most of the base’s population is on main side, if PMO needs help, it will be here,” Riley said.
The solution was to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which was reviewed by Base lawyers. The MOU with Prince William was signed in 2012 and states that the county may provide law enforcement assistance when specifically requested.
Riley said that MCBQ requests assistance from Prince William County for all base exercises, such as the full-scale active shooter training scenario that took place Mar. 2. It also made use of the MOU during the 2013 murder-suicide at Officer Candidates School and during a recent 9/11 anniversary.
“They’ve always been receptive to providing their manpower and capabilities,” Riley said. “I’ve seen immediate responses of 10-15 people and also the SWAT team recalled within an hour.”
Riley said that mutual aid MOUs are not uncommon among military police departments, especially in the National Capital Region.
The MOU with Prince William County will remain in effect until it’s terminated by either party.
— Writer: auphausconner@quanticosentryonline.com