There’s an earthquake scheduled for this weekend, but don’t be alarmed – It’s only a test. State agencies have chosen the Sonoma Developmental Center for their annual emergency-response drill.
Here’s the scenario: a 7.9 earthquake hits the area on Thursday, April 28th at 3 p.m. First responders report numerous building collapses, multiple casualties, trapped or missing victims, damaged roads and bridges, and fires. Again, only a drill.
It pretends to get worse. “The uncontrolled release of hazardous materials from damaged pipelines, storage tanks and/or facilities.”
The script is fiction, but the response will be very real, as California Army National Guard-CBRN Task Force and Cal/OES Fire Rescue Branch host the two-day Sentinel Response multiagency, full scale exercise on the SDC campus.
Response crews (and volunteer ‘victims’) will be on scene Friday, April 29 and Saturday, April 30, from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. Some 650 first responders from throughout the state will participate.
The location allows for the teams to practice responding to the additional challenge of “potentially radioactive contamination.” Of particular concern, goes the scripted disaster, “is the report of an explosion and fire caused by leaking natural gas at the SDC cancer treatment facility that may have resulted in the release of radiological materials from damaged medical equipment.”
The sponsors of this year’s exercise are the California Army National Guard’s CBRN Task Force and the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, Fire-Rescue Branch.
Arnold Drive won’t be closed during the “disaster,” but much of the activity will be visible from the roadway. Don’t let those haz-mat suits fool you – it’s only a test. Just keep driving.
There’s still time to participate as a volunteer, i.e. ‘victim’. Role players are encouraged to bring a stuffed animal to help set the scene for animal disaster workers, search and rescue teams as well as members of the veterinary emergency response team.
Role players will be provided bottled water, snacks and meals. Had this been a real emergency, there would be no catering.
To register please contact Philip White, Lead Exercise Planner, Email: philip.white@stateguard.cmd.ca.govMobile Phone: (707) 333-3577
Check out the video from last year’s Sentinel Response Exercise that took place in Concord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNXOI12YKhw
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