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Gen. Mike Minihan, Commander of Air Mobility Command, visits the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station June 8, 2024.

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MARE exercise at Niagara

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Andrew Caya
  • 914th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y --  The 914th Airlift Wing hosted a Mass Accident Response Exercise at the Niagara Falls International Airport today, June 8.

This exercise was a simulated plane crash near the runway of the airport. First responders from the state, county and local levels were involved in the response.

Niagara Falls ARS Fire Department Chief of Training Joe Foucha, said this type of exercise allows the base to get together with outside agencies for better coordination and preparation in the event of an actual incident that may result in casualties, like a plane crash.

"That day it does happen--if it happens-- we will be ready for it," said Foucha.

New York State Police Lt. Kevin Barnas, said if there was a tragedy of this magnitude, it would take response from multiple agencies, and that is what a drill and exercise like this is all about--coming together and seeing what, if any issues there are.

In addition to the agencies responding to this event, a local law enforcement entity brought an important piece of equipment for better command and control of the incident scene.

For this exercise the Sheriff's Dept. brought their mobile command post, which allows the different agencies to come together as a unified command for better management of the situation, said Niagara County Sheriff Captain Todd Ostrowski.

Although all event scenarios for this exercise have now been completed and the responders have left the scene, the exercise is not finished. Evaluations need to be applied to the response and execution of the exercise.

Foucha, part of the Exercise Evaluation Team, observed the exercise from start to finish and took notes on what was observed and will inform his colleagues of his critique.

Foucha stated that an exercise like this gives responders a good look at potential hazards during an incident that may hinder operations; hazards such as lack of communication.

"We will go through (the exercise), and we will see where the problems are, then we will try to fix it for future events," said Foucha. "Every time we try to find good and bad, then work on the bad and do more of the good; it's always about learning to do better."