NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. -- On May 19, 2018 the base here conducted a Mass Accident Response Exercise in preparation for this year’s Thunder of Niagara International Air Show, set for June 9th and 10th.
The scenario set forth for the MARE was a plane crash during an air show. The simulated crash involved spectators on the ground as well as passengers aboard the aircraft.
The exercise involved 914th Air Refueling Wing emergency response personnel as well as various local first responders to include the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, Niagara County Emergency Services, Grand Island Civil Emergency Response Team, as well as several state and county emergency response agencies from the Niagara County area.
Approximately fifty actors dressed as victims littered the scene of the simulated crash. First responders assessed, extracted, and provided medical care to patients.
Senior Master Sgt. Melaney Agahiu, 914 ARW Superintendent of Inspections, reflected on the outcome of Saturday’s MARE.
“I think we did fairly well considering that we’re in conversion,” said Agahiu. “We could probably do it in our sleep in a [C-130], but in a [KC-135] things are a little different. There were some lessons learned, but overall, I think it was a success.”
The objective of this MARE was to evaluate and ensure readiness of both the installation emergency response agencies and local first responders. Joint exercises like the MARE provide a unique opportunity to fortify working relationships between military and local civilian agencies as well as improve the efficiency and effectiveness of everyone involved.