JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, conducted an on-base, emergency-readiness exercise, Aug. 13, 2015, in preparation for the upcoming air show on Sept. 19.
There is no expectation for an accident to occur during the 2015 Joint Base Andrews Air Show, but the exercise evaluated the response of base emergency personnel in the case of a mass casualty incident.
"We are holding this exercise to validate and confirm the readiness of regional and base first responders in case of a future emergency," said Randy Sena, 11th Wing chief of exercises and inspections.
JBA is holding an air show Sept. 19, and the exercise is the installation's way of evaluating effectiveness, communication, safety and efficiency.
"Evaluating our communication and effectiveness provides us the added benefit of mitigating potential issues and concern when we have thousands of people here for our air show," said Col. Brad Hoagland, 11th Wing and Joint Base Andrews commander. "Practicing for various emergency scenarios allows our first responders and hospitals in the region the opportunity to train together for a myriad of contingencies."
Three regional hospitals, 61 volunteer actors, 70 evaluators and numerous first responders participated in the base-wide exercise.
Adam Burak, 11th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department crew chief, said the more training they have communicating and working with other first responders, the more efficient the fire department gets.
The exercise took approximately eight hours, and JBA's response effectiveness will be evaluated and any corrections will be made to ensure optimal safety in the future.
For more information about the Air Show visit:
http://1.usa.gov/1d5pbfv