RENO, Nev. - The simulated effects of the 7.1 quake that struck northern Nevada and parts of northern California on June 12 continued to be felt Sunday as more exercise victims were found in the rubble of collapsed buildings through the Washoe County area.
Emergency responders quickly rushed to the scene and within minutes realized they were overwhelmed with the extent of the carnage. To make matters worse, officials on the scene recognized immediate hazardous material and chemical dangers that hampered rescue attempts for those trapped deep in the rubble. Medical personnel from the Nevada National Guard as well as the state's civil support team were quickly called in to assist.
The entire scenario at Washoe County's Regional Public Safety Training Center was prepared in conjunction with Vigilant Guard 2008 to test the reaction and preparedness of state and federal emergency responders. The simulated destruction would be a reality if such an earthquake hit the area.
The VG 08 exercise provided a good opportunity for search and rescue teams to hone the skills they would need in such an event, and according to local seismologists, a 7.1 quake is a definite probability in northern Nevada.
The actors who portrayed the victims tested rescuers with a variety of simulated ailments such as burns, broken bones and severe cuts; real injuries that would be encountered if a building collapse did happen.
At the site, National Guard teams set up mass casualty tents that had personnel who treated wounds and sanitized conditions. Teams also set up perimeter security to protect the area from unauthorized personnel.
Capt. Todd Hine, the operations officer for the 92nd civil support team, said the scenario is very realistic and simulates what would occur in a real catastrophe. The exercise reminded everyone involved that while there may be obvious victims and chaos at a site, the first responders might be in as much danger as those in the rubble.
"When they get on scene, they don't really know what they're getting into," Hine said "They're totally unprotected. Bad things are happening to their guys, so we go in there to determine when it's safe for them to go in."
All of the personnel on scene agreed the scenario will be valuable to their training, whether the catastrophe is a flood, earthquake or any other natural disaster.
Rescue Sgt. Steve Brummert from the California National Guard said every training opportunity proves beneficial.
"You can't train enough for this," he said. "We only get better each time. This training is worth its weight in gold."
VG 08 is a federally-sponsored exercise every state is required to participate in to hone local, state and federal organizations' skills in emergency response and communication.