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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Jackson County approves $339 million budget ... Hunting trophies could get price tags ... Oregon races to finalize rules for marijuana, issue licenses ... Jackson County approves $339 million budget ... Hunting trophies could get price tags ... Oregon races to finalize rules for marijuana, issue licenses ... PUBLIC SAFETY Multiagency drill meant to prepare for Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake Medford airport hosts multiagency disaster drill Comment By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil Posted Jun. 8, 2016 at 2:32 PM By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil Posted Jun. 8, 2016 at 2:32 PM » Social News The scenario that crackled over the emergency scanner Wednesday sounded grim: a San Francisco flight landing at the Medford airport had crashed because of an aftershock that caused the runway to lurch. Several dead, many injured, aircraft engulfed in flames. A gut-wrenching situation, if real. It was not. It was an elaborate drill meant to make sure area public safety agencies are prepared if a disaster of that magnitude ever does happen, part of a statewide Cascadia Rising event meant to prepare for a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake. "Any large incident like this is way more than just business as usual," said Larry Masterman, emergency management coordinator for the city of Medford. "We have to shift the way we do things." Learning to deal with stretched resources when so many need care is key in understanding how to manage such a chaotic scene, event officials said. "Everybody out there has to be doing more than one thing," Masterman said. The airplane in the exercise was actually a school bus, set ablaze for firefighters to put out. Dozens of volunteers acted like they were seriously injured. Airport officials said the drill is held every three years so the facility can stay current with the Federal Aviation Administration's Part 139 certification, required of airports that serve aircraft with more than 30 seats, according to FAA guidelines. "We make it as real-world as we possibly can," said airport public information officer Kim Stearns. "It just allows agencies to make sure their communications are in order, that incident command is working the way it should, that information is going out the way it should." Participating agencies included the airport's fire department, Medford Fire-Rescue, Jackson County Fire District No. 3, Jackson County Sheriff's Department, Medford police, Mercy Flights, Red Cross, Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon and Jackson County Emergency Management. Providence Medford Medical Center and Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center also participated, simulating care to transported "patients." "It's unanimous, I think, that people thought it was worth doing," Masterman said. "I think everybody found it worthwhile." Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or [email protected]. Follow him at www.twitter.com/ryanpfeil . By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil Posted Jun. 8, 2016 at 2:32 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501