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Emergency responders test skills during exercise

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. David Kurle
  • 301st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
FORT WORTH, Texas --  Citizen Airmen from the 301st Fighter Wing tested their emergency-response capabilities alongside their civilian and U.S. Navy counterparts Aug. 10 in the aftermath of a simulated explosion at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth.

On-base emergency responders were the first to the scene after the exercise started. They quickly set up a decontamination tent to treat "victims" of the simulated explosion.

The aim of the drill was to decontaminate and triage 15 patients and then transport them to John Peter Smith Hospital in downtown Fort Worth, according to Master Sgt. Jose Guajardo, emergency management air reserve technician in the 301st Civil Engineer Squadron.

In addition to military units, civilian agencies from off base took part in the exercise. They included the Fort Worth Fire Department, explosive ordnance disposal experts and emergency managers, as well as the staff at JPS hospital.

"It's important to know the resources and expertise each agency can provide so that when we respond to an actual situation it minimizes the fog of war," said James Pettus, the wing's anti-terrorism officer. "This better prepares us for a [chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear] event."

After evacuation from the site of the explosion, the 15 "victims" were decontaminated using a fire hose from a hook-and-ladder truck from the NAS Fort Worth JRB Fire Department. The victims then processed through a tent where emergency responders applied water and a soap-like solution.

"Our goal was to assist the fire department in setting up and processing folks for decontamination," Guajardo said. "We have to demonstrate we have the capability to respond to any situation and continue our mission."

After the patients were decontaminated, they boarded a bus for the JPS hospital where the JPS staff took over to further decontaminate victims and assess injuries.

"It's very possible that an event like this could actually happen," Pettus said. "This exercise can lessen the psychological impact of a real event."

Both Guajardo and Pettus agreed that exercising with their Navy and civilian counterparts is important.

"If we have any type of incident, whether on base or off, this shows we can get together and decontaminate people," Guajardo said.