SFS Airmen assist emergency response agencies in disaster drill

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Brigitte Brantley
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Whenever there is a crisis on or off base, it can be reassuring to know the responders sent to neutralize the situation have been properly trained and will be able to lead participants out safely.

A Lowndes County disaster drill involving Moody Airmen was held March 15 to test local emergency response agencies' ability to effectively respond to and defuse dangerous situations.

More than 165 military and family members from the 23rd and 823rd Security Forces Squadrons volunteered to play roles as park guests during the four-hour long exercise held at Wild Adventures Water and Theme Park in Valdosta, Ga.

"The purpose of this exercise was to ensure both our park employees and local emergency response members had a chance to practice mission-related skills," said Evan Schukman, Wild Adventures safety and maintenance director. "It was a scenario that could happen in real life and being able to practice our responses ensures the best result possible for all individuals who might be involved."

The local agencies included local ambulance and emergency room services, and several Lowndes County agencies, including the sheriff's office, a search and rescue team, and emergency dispatch.

In addition to these agencies, members from the 23rd Medical Group were able to practice applying moulage or make-up applied to simulate realistic wounds.

Security forces Airmen also benefitted from the exercise, even though they weren't the ones responding to the violent situation.

"Although most of the Airmen who volunteered to help with this acted as park guests, some also played the roles of hostages and victims," said Capt. Christopher Snell, 823rd Security Forces Squadron commander and the "shooter" during the exercise. "Even though they weren't actively practicing their security skills, they were able to observe how the civilian agencies react. It's always useful to see how others respond during a crisis because you might be able to incorporate those tactics in the future."

As the aggressor during the scenario, Captain Snell played a park guest who became violent once he discovered his girlfriend was at the park with another man. Captain Snell's character became very violent and began shooting and stabbing individuals near him, at one point holding seven hostages in a nearby bathroom.

"Having the captain play the shooter was a great help because he slid into the role in a very realistic manner," said Mr. Schukman. "Because of the manner in which he played, all the other agencies were able to react in a more realistic way, thereby making the exercise even more effective."

This disaster drill is scheduled to be held annually and is designed to test different scenarios each year, allowing the response agencies the chance to test varying skills.