Disaster Drill
Conducted
Claiborne Progress
October 4,
2006
By Ed Baldwin
Correspondent
First responders from several locations in East
Tennessee converged on the fair grounds in Tazewell on Saturday, Sept. 30 to
conduct a disaster drill.
According to the scenario, an airplane crashed
into the fair barn and caught fire resulting in numerous injuries and
deaths. A box trailer was used to simulate the plane body and a large roll
of hay was afire to provide smoke. Victims were portrayed by students from
the Tennessee Technical Center.
The initial call was dispatched at 8:58 a.m.
Most of the responders arrived at the scene quickly and began fighting the
fire, securing the scene, and treating the wounded. Some staged at the
Claiborne County High School as back-up. In addition to Claiborne County
emergency personnel Union County sent an EMS unit; LifeStar, Air Evac, and
Wings helicopters responded; and the Kingsport Red Cross sent a disaster
scene food wagon.
The drill was completed about 10:30 a.m.
Coordinator Larry Gibson gave his preliminary impression.
"There is room for improvement," he said.
He added
that he would be disappointed if it had gone perfectly, because that would
have led to complacency. Evaluators will review notes and photos in order to
complete a more thorough evaluation of the drill. Lessons learned will be
used for future training of everyone involved.
