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By RAELYNN RICARTE
News staff writer
September 20, 2006
Hood River County emergency responders will
participate in a drill on Saturday that centers on a mock terrorist
attack.
The disaster-preparedness training takes place at the Odell fairgrounds
from 9 a.m. to noon. A full-scale exercise simulates a radiological
incident along Interstate 84.
“A major disaster requires all of us to get together and pool our
resources to get things done. So, this is a good opportunity to test what
we have in the way of equipment and how it works,” said Hood River County
Sheriff Joe Wampler.
Joining his deputies and emergency dispatchers in the exercise will be:
Hood River Fire Department, City of Cascade Locks, Parkdale and Odell fire
districts, Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital and Mid-Columbia
Medical Center. State and federal support organizations will also be on
the scene to lend assistance. And area Boy Scout troops will play the role
of victims.
The drill focuses on the overall response and decision-making processes.
It is intended to increase readiness among public health, emergency
management and safety agencies for a real disaster.
Wampler said Hood River County emergency workers want to avoid the
communication issues that reigned on the Gulf Coast during the devastation
of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. |
