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How come it took 9 years to have a truly large scale drill?
Chicago recently had a ginormous drill with hundreds?? of companies from 4 states. 9-11 was 9 years ago and this is the first drill of this type. Really, What are we waiting for? Are we ready for truly multi-agency activities. Who would be in charge of a multi state incedent. Hell we can't agree on who responds to what sometimes. Can you imagine 2 chiefs argueing over who is in charge then throw in the police, mayors and other politians. I'm sure if I asked 4 chiefs inmy state what would happen if an incident happened on I95 on the state line (MD/DE or PA/DE) who would be in charge and whats the procedures for working with another state, I would get 4 different answers.
There are many places and many incidents that could happen. Are we really prepared for them?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Brian Dumser on
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Sorry Craig I just found this post. I was wondering the same thing. I wasn't working so I wasn't there, but I couldn't help but think, "what took so long?". It seems like certain parts of Homeland Security are moving at a snail's pace. We still don't scan 100% of shipping containers coming into U.S. ports, and we haven't really had a large scale 9/11 type drill in the 9 years since 9/11! Around here, we occasionally train with the surrounding F.D's, but nothing like what would be required for a multi state or even multi MABAS district incident.
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Permalink Reply by Mark Oomkes on
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I always laugh (sort of) when it comes to disaster drills in my county. Or reference to the disaster protocol.
While we're finally getting a somewhat central dispatch, it truly will be a disaster because I've been a firefighter in the same county for over 20 years and have never seen much less read what the protocol or plan is. There are so many different frequencies using different bands that nobody will be able to communicate easily. I just figure I'll show up and do what needs to be done and not worry about the "big picture" because no one is going to be seeing the "big picture".
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Permalink Reply by Just Plain Craig Moyer on
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The last drill I participated in was about 6 years ago and it was supposed to be a train wreck with the Governor on board. They dispatched the haz mat team which included us....funny thing is, is that we were covering the host company and never got out. Everyone was told except us. We have the State Haz-mat unit! Talk about planning.
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Permalink Reply by Roger Neal on
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I believe the "drill" you are referring to, was a demonstration coordinated by MABAS and shown to the attendees at I-Chief's FRI in August. They moved a lot of equipment, but there was no actual training or patient care exercise. Your question about why it has taken 9 years is valid. Cost may be one reason.
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Thanks Roger, that's got to be the one I'm thinking of. I saw some photos of the "drill" and they definitely had rigs there from far and wide. I didn't realize that it was just a show. Seems like a waste to get all of those crews there and then not really do anything. Stay safe!
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Oops, I got too close to Jim and got sarcasm all over me! ;)
Sadly I think you're right. How quickly the people in charge have forgotten just what took place on 9/11. I suppose it doesn't help that since then, every would-be terrorist has been the Al Qaida equivalent of a toothless redneck hillbilly. (My apologies to any actual toothless redneck hillbillies here on FFN). But these weak attempts at terrorism have only made the public feel safer. They've gone right back to the attitude that we all had before 9/11, which was, "it can't happen here".
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Permalink Reply by Norm Tindell on
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We're up to 8 NIMS classes now just to remain compliant, but we haven't used much of what we learned. Guess it's because we're toothless (well, almost) rednecks in the sticks. Surely it won't happen here! LOL
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Aww man, I knew that comment was gonna come back and bite me in the a$$! LOL
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Permalink Reply by Patti Walz on
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The last drill I went to like this we were supposed to roll on scene and put the fire out.... well the people who were handling the fire, but it out and went to lunch. So we dropped a line, and practiced putting on airpacks, attacking the "fire" and turned an oops into an actual drill.
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Brian,
It depends on what was the objective. If testing communications and the ability to coordinate moving lots of rigs was the goal, then perhaps the "drill" was a success. The scenario was a terrorist attack. All I know is what I saw on the big screens at FRI.
Anyway, your points about large scale effective drills are very valid. keep pushing in your community. Big things start with one small step.
Stay Safe.
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