Document text
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 UPDATE: Gov. Kate Brown says school districts must provide annual lead reports ... Planning for Rogue Basin drought resiliency ... Southern Oregon fire crews prepare for long, hot summer ... UPDATE: Gov. Kate Brown says school districts must provide annual lead reports ... Planning for Rogue Basin drought resiliency ... Southern Oregon fire crews prepare for long, hot summer ... PUBLIC SAFETY Medford airport to host mass casualty drill Comment By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil Posted Jun. 6, 2016 at 2:07 PM Updated Jun 6, 2016 at 3:29 PM By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil Posted Jun. 6, 2016 at 2:07 PM Updated Jun 6, 2016 at 3:29 PM » Social News Here's a disaster scenario straight out of a summer blockbuster: An aftershock pulses through an airport runway as a commercial flight is about to land. Too late to disengage, the aircraft crashes on the heaving runway, killing multiple passengers and injuring numerous others. Rogue Valley police and fire agencies will rehearse this scenario, called a "simulated mass casualty incident," in real time at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Medford airport. The airport holds exercises like this every three years so it 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 will have the same type of roles that you would actually have in that event. We will have wounded, will have deceased," said Medford airport spokeswoman Kim Stearns. "It’s as realistic an environment as we can create." About 40 volunteers will act as injured and deceased victims. The drill also will help area fire and law enforcement agencies practice for a large-scale earthquake as part of Cascadia Rising rehearsals occurring across the state "to plan for the real eventuality of a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake and tsunami," according to a news release about the event. The airport's fire department, Medford Fire-Rescue, Jackson County Fire District 3, Medford police, Jackson County Sheriff's Department, Mercy Flights, Red Cross, Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon and Jackson County Emergency Management also will participate in the drill. Providence Medford Medical Center and Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center will be looped in, too, because a key part of the simulation will include on-site treatment of patients and transport of others to hospitals. "You honestly cannot put a value on this type of training from the standpoint that you’ve got multiple agencies," said Tom McGowan, Medford Fire-Rescue training battalion chief. "The ability to communicate is always a challenge between multiple organizations." "It’s always at the forefront of your mind, with the hope that it never actually happens," Stearns said. 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. 6, 2016 at 2:07 PM Updated Jun 6, 2016 at 3:29 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