US first responders and sailors conduct mass casualty drill

The US Navy sailors and first responders from Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Fire and Emergency Services have conducted simulated aircraft mishap and a mass casualty drill at Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana, Virginia, US.

During the exercise, personnel were trained in simulated scenarios such as aircraft crash and a simulated building fire and partial collapse.

The training evolution also involved situations similar to those faced by first responders when a US Navy’s F/A-18D aircraft crashed in Virginia Beach on 06 April 2012.

NAS Oceanacommanding officer captain Kit Chope said the team presented first responders with a complex scenario that challenges them.

"It’s important in this era of constrained resources that we continue the types of training that we need to have to keep us sharp and ready to respond to any contingency," Chope added.

"I’m very proud of this team and our relationships with all of the Hampton Roads area and we look forward to continuing this kind of exercise to hone our capabilities in the field." The drill involved first responders from the Virginia Beach Fire Department, Virginia Beach Emergency Management Services.

Virginia Beach Fire Department firefighter Josh Creamer said the team is trying to make the training as real-world as possible.
"The problems that occurred during that plane crash are things we encounter here, so we try to work through it and remember the lessons learned,"Creamer added.