Simulated Plane Crash Prepares 1st Responders in Hale County
it is one of those situations that you pray will never happen but know you better be prepared in case it does. A large passenger aircraft crashes in a rural area with limited resources requiring a massive mutual aid response from surrounding counties. That will stress any response. But that is where preparation comes in.
That was the scenario for Thursday night's Hollywood production type emergency response drill in Hale County. It involved some 700 volunteers and responders from 26 counties, elaborate props and numerous emergency vehicles. It took true coordination and skill to pull it off.
The annual exercise coordinated by the Hale County Emergency Management Agency looked realistic on the dark property of the old State Cattle Ranch near Greensboro. Burning haystacks simulated scattered wreckage across the field, casualties were spread around the make-believe crash site, some were survivors with varying injuries while others didn't make it.
"Training exercises like this gives everyone an opportunity to work and coordinate the response together." Hale County EMA Director Russell Weeden said when critiquing the drill response." It helps build confidence and refine everyone's individual skill."
"Exercises like this improve command, control and communications in a real event," according to Weeden.
There were more than 100 volunteer actors playing victims. That places stress on the medical response as it would in any mass casualty event. Whether it is a large plane crash or a tornado the scenario gives responders and hospitals the realistic training they need.
An initial review after the training exercise elicited a positive critique by participants, and personnel observing operations. "Everyone watching was complimentary and praising the professionals for doing such a great job," observed Alabama Emergency Management Agency Division C Coordinator Chris Baker. "Even the students who portrayed the crash victims were amazed at how prepared responders were for such a dauntingly large-scale drill."
Information obtained from the critiques will be combined into an "After Action Report" and shared with participants so they can correct any mistakes, identify any shortfalls and reinforce the positives. That is why you practice and how you learn to become a true team.
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