| On Saturday, September 24, Rescue 59 and Tanker 59 participated in Harrisburg International Airport's triennial full-scale exercise. This year's exercise involved a simulation of an aircraft crashing into a structure upon landing. In addition to Companies 70 (HIA) and 71 (PA Air National Guard), the drill involved several units from surrounding companies in Dauphin, Lancaster, and York counties. Rescue 59, with 4 personnel, was assigned as the first due Rescue to extricate 3 victims from a portion of the aircraft (overturn car) and 1 patient from underneath debris (concrete barrier). The crew from Rescue 59, assisted by Engine 55, stabilized both scenarios, and utilized airbags, rescue struts, and hydraulic tools to extricate a total of 4 simulated victims. While the Rescue crew was operating, Tanker 59 supplied water for suppression of the simulated fire at the crash site.
On Sunday, September 25, Rescue 59 participated in the annual off-site fire drill at Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station. The drill took place as a simulated fire in the site's FLEX storage facility. Rescue 59, with 5 personnel participated as the Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) for the scenario. Once the drill had been terminated, all personnel were invited into the North Office Building for lunch and a presentation on different aspects of emergency response to the facility.
Company 59 would like to thank both HIA and TMI for inviting us to participate in the exercises. Both drills allowed the crews to practice in the dual roles of the Rescue Company and better understand some of the various hazards within our response area. |
