Several local emergency response agencies participated in the exercise. Hosted by Naval Air Station Meridian, the exercise was held in conjunction with National Disaster Preparedness Month. Cmdr. Rob Michael, executive officer and installation training team leader for NAS, said the installation training team worked months to plan the exercise, which tested responders' capabilities during a complex catastrophe such as an earthquake.
In addition to NAS Meridian's Fire and Rescue unit, security, emergency management and Branch Health Clinic, drill participants also included AirCare Medevac, Mississippi Department of Health, Metro Ambulance Service, Red Cross of Meridian, Meridian Fire and Rescue and Lauderdale Emergency Management Agency.
"This was our largest exercise yet," Michael said.
And though an earthquake in Meridian is highly unlikely, Michael said it is better to be prepared.
"I felt like if we did have an earthquake here, we weren't adequately prepared," Michael said. "I wanted to create a complex scenario, so we could be prepared for mass casualties, flat structures, and one that would fully involve our fire department."
Michael said participation by outside agencies was essential to the exercise.
"It is absolutely important, because we are all part of a team," Michael said. "When it comes to an emergency, it doesn't matter whether you belong in the military at NAS, or part of the community. We are all here to save lives, and protect property."
Meridian Fire Department Deputy Fire Chief Ricky Leister said the exercise was beneficial in many ways.
"Considering we are told we live on a fault line, we could have an earthquake," Leister said. "I don't know if it will happen, but the possibility does exist. From time to time they may require some mutual aid assistance, and we want to be here if they need us. And in turn, we find out what our response time is."
Anderson Regional Medical Center's Emergency Management Coordinator John Bates said the exercise went smooth on their end.
"We were set to receive 12 people, but we got very busy," Bates said. "AirCare brought in one, and Metro brought in two. Everybody played and communicated well together. It was a good exercise for the community; helping the community to be prepared, as well as the hospital."
Michael said based on today's outcome they are better prepared, but not fully prepared.
"To be fully prepared, we need individual organizations and people who are responsible for the buildings themselves to develop their own emergency plans to deal with something like an earthquake," Michael said. "We are use to dealing with tornadoes and other inclement weather, but we aren't prepared for earthquakes."
———
©2015 The Meridian Star (Meridian, Miss.)
Visit The Meridian Star (Meridian, Miss.) at meridianstar.com
