March, local community partner in base exercise

Two California Department of Forestry firefighters carry a litter with a volunteer patient during a recent crash exercise near the base. Regularly scheduled exercises give civilian and military responders an opportunity to work together in an emergency situation. (U.S. Air Force photo by MSgt. Linda E. Welz)

March, local community partner in base exercise

A base fire truck shoots water onto a mock aircraft which simulated a crashed C-17. In front of the aircraft, two casualties from the wreckage await triage as part of the MARE or Major Accident Response Exercise. The MARE tested March ARB, City and County of Riverside, City of Moreno Valley, City of Perris, Cal Fire and American Medical Response’s ability to respond and recover from an aircraft accident involving mass casualties. (U.S. Air Force photo by SSgt Stephen Schester)

March, local community partner in base exercise

A firefighter from the March Air Reserve Base Fire Department moves a "casualty" so that he can be treated for wounds inflicted during a simulated C-17 crash as part of the MARE or Major Accident Response Exercise. The MARE tests March ARB, City and County of Riverside, City of Moreno Valley, City of Perris, Cal Fire and American Medical Response, all of Southern California, to respond and recover from a aircraft accident involving mass casualties. (U.S. Air Force photo by SSgt Stephen Schester)

March, local community partner in base exercise

Published May 16, 2009
By Maj Don Traud
452 AMw/PA

MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, CALIF. -- That dreaded call rings into the fire station.

"A C-17 crashed as it approached the south end of the runway. The aircraft is engulfed in flames and smoke. The smoke is drifting toward local businesses and residences. There are reports of casualties and injuries not only from the downed aircraft but also to various people who were in the surrounding area."

However, this message is preceded and concluded with, "Exercise, exercise, exercise."

It's part of the base's required quarterly disaster preparedness exercises. This one was called a MARE, Major Accident Response Exercise, which tests March's and the communities' ability to respond and recover from an aircraft accident involving mass casualties.

Firefighters and security forces from the base as well as responders from the City and County of Riverside, City of Moreno Valley, City of Perris, Cal Fire and American Medical Response converge on the off-base site.

The drill focused on initial response and how well agencies on and off base communicate. Casualty management which includes triage, patient care and transporting the injured to local hospitals. And other areas were evaluated such as search and recovery, crash recovery and establishing a unified command.