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.