Exercises demonstrate base's emergency response capabilities to AFMC inspectors

  • Published
  • By Kenji Thuloweit
  • 412th Test Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The phrase "Exercise, exercise, exercise" has been resonating through squadrons, offices and airwaves with greater frequency around Edwards the past two weeks. With the ongoing Consolidated Unit Inspection, Edwards personnel got the chance to demonstrate to Air Force Materiel Command inspectors their emergency response capabilities with three separate exercises, which culminated in Desert Wind 13-03 Jan. 15.

After two exercises Jan. 11 involving an earthquake scenario and increased force protection measures due to a possible threat, which were scenarios provided by AFMC Inspector General, Team Edwards demonstrated how they conduct their own exercises with a hazardous material spill situation while AFMC inspectors looked on.

"This HAZMAT exercise is the third and final scenario required for the CUI," said Frank Sporer, acting Installation Exercise program manager. "The exercises last Friday demonstrated how the base responded to scenarios provided by the AFMC IG inspectors; today, we are showing them how we conduct our own exercises."

Exercise officials brought out vehicles and several barrels to simulate a vehicle accident involving injuries and a possible chemical spill.

The scenario involved 300 gallons of Trichlorobenzenes being spilled onto Rosamond Blvd. behind Bldg. 3000.

In a real world situation, Trichlorobenzenes presents a contact and respiratory hazard.

Under the watchful eye of the EET, first responders from the 412th Security Forces Squadron, Edwards Fire Department and 412th Medical Group responded to the 911 call within minutes and assessed the situation, while workers in Bldg. 3000 conducted Shelter-In-Place procedures to protect them from possible contamination.

The simulated traffic accident involved one injured motorist and one dead. Fire fighters had to determine the level of contamination before treating the victims.

SFS cordoned off roads leading to the accident site while firefighters and medical personnel assessed the situation and later extracted one of the motorists from his vehicle to conduct first aid measures. The "victim" was then transported (simulated) to Antelope Valley Hospital in Lancaster, Calif.

"We try to conduct each exercise as realistically as possible with all aspects of emergency management procedures" said William O. Redick, Fire Protection specialist and EET member. "The Exercise Evaluation Team observes how emergency personnel respond and how they conduct measures to save life, environment and property."

Team Edwards will find out their assessment from the AFMC IG team during an out brief on the final day of the CUI Jan. 22.