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Hernando Today

Fake crash provides learning experience

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By TONY HOLT | Hernando Today

Published: November 20, 2009

BROOKSVILLE - He couldn't feel his legs.
"We've got to work on getting his helmet off and putting a collar on him," one paramedic said to another.
The pilot of the Blackhawk helicopter was strapped to a backboard and paramedics had methodically pulled him out of the aircraft and onto a stretcher.
"Check the pulse on his feet," said one Hernando County firefighter.
"We need to get him out of here," replied the other who was standing along the opposite end of the stretcher.
"What was the last update on the air support?" he asked again.
The last pilot was removed from the helicopter within 35 minutes of the call. More than 10 fire engines and ambulances from Hernando County and Spring Hill fire rescue converged on the runway behind the National Guard hangar at the Hernando County Airport.
It was a drill, but an important one.
Friday's simulation was the culmination of weeks of training.
Guardsmen and paramedics alike were working together during a mock airport emergency.
The scenario involved a U.S. Army C-23 Sherpa and a Blackhawk
The Sherpa hit the runway hard and was stationary along the strip. The Blackhawk was having engine trouble and needed to make an emergency landing. In the process, it smashed into the Sherpa.
There were a total of five National Guard soldiers in the two aircrafts. All of them suffered injuries that required hospital care. That was the scenario announced by Hernando County spokeswoman Brenda Frazier, who invited local media to observe and report like it was an actual emergency.
Guardsmen cordoned off the area and fire and rescue responders arrived within a few minutes of the call.
Some smoke flares scattered across a section of the runway in front of the two aircraft to help set the scene
The propellers weren't turning and the noise levels did not approach that of an actual emergency response involving two military helicopters. Paramedics still tried to work at a pace consistent with a real-life accident.
There was no yelling among emergency personnel because it wasn't necessary. Some of them actually swapped jokes and laughed at each other, but they continued to work fast.
A few media members were there and freely roamed the scene. Those in the National Guard were hoping the media would wander more closely so they could learn how to juggle emergency response, medical care and questions from reporters.
The civilian responders who are used to pulling people out of vehicles and burning houses still had some lessons to learn about military aircraft, said Chief Warrant Officer Parker Priest, who supervised the simulation and assisted with the training.
"The Hazmat team grabbed a high-voltage antenna without checking to see if the electricity was off," Priest said as he pointed to the two men in the white, bulky suits who were still working at the rear of the Blackhawk.
The paramedics weren't fully protected either, he said. They should have been wearing masks with breathing apparatuses.
"When you're dealing with this aircraft, there are a lot of composites," Priest said. "If you breathe in those composites, they can be toxic."
Spring Hill Fire Chief Mike Rampino was among those watching the drill.
"This is probably as close as you're going to get to the real thing," he said.
Frank DeFrancesco is the assistant chief and Hazmat commander for Hernando County Fire Rescue. He said there were three purposes for Friday's exercise. The local fire agencies wanted more practice on patient care as well as fuel leaks and fuel spills that might happen during an airport emergency.
Several county government officials were on hand to watch.
"We wanted to show some of the things we do and the capabilities we have here," DeFrancesco said.

Reporter Tony Holt can be reached at 352-544-5283 or wholt@hernandotoday.com.

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