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Ill. rescue workers to conduct training exercise

By Teresa Sewell
The State Journal-Register (Springfield, IL)
Copyright 2006 The State Journal-Register
All Rights Reserved

Fire and rescue personnel from Springfield and throughout Sangamon County are planning a three-day training exercise beginning today to test their emergency-response ability in the event of a large-scale natural disaster.

The training, at six rural sites that will be closed to the public, will end Sunday evening.

According to a news release, the exercise will focus on key emergency responder coordination, critical decision-making and test the integration of statewide and local aid during a simulated natural disaster.

“We’ve done mutual aid together before,” said John Kulek, division chief with the Springfield Fire Department. “But not on this large of a scale. It will be a good experience.”

The drills will include rescuing victims of collapsed structures and burning buildings. Volunteers will be “made up” by St. John’s Hospital and Memorial Medical Center staff to look like casualties with severe injuries.

Local technical rescue resources, such as Illinois Urban Search and Rescue, will establish a base camp near the disaster site with specially trained personnel and search dogs.

Funding for the exercise is being provided by the Illinois Mutual Aid Box Alarm System through a grant from the Department of Homeland Security.

Kulek said he’s confident the training will teach rescuers what they need to know to deal with a disaster.

“God forbid, if we get hit with another tornado,” he said. "(But) the departments will have better experience in their response.”