It will look like a disaster, but it's only a drill as several emergency groups will practice at the Rhinelander-Oneida County airport.
The MOCK Full-Scale Disaster Exercise allows airport staff and emergency responders to respond to a realistic exercise says Airport Director Joe Brauer. He says they are required by the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct this type of training...
"....every three years we are to do a full disaster drill, which includes all the emergency services, law enforcement, the hospital, we can test all of our equipment, volunteer fire departments...."
Brauer says they have a mock up of a plane fuselage with realistic dummies inside, enabling responders to work around a crash site, complete with flames, to get the victims out of the simulator and to aid. Brauer says after the simulation, all the participants share notes to see where there needs to be improvements in response....
"....when we get done with the critique it usually boils down to communication. It's been getting better and better. I think I've done about seven of these in my career. It's remarkable from where we started from and where we are today...."
The mock exercise will be Tuesday, June 7 at 1:00 p.m. at the Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport. At least six agencies will be taking part.
