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Mutual-aid HAZMAT exercise strengthens response capabilities

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Mary O'Dell
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE-Wash. --  Team Fairchild hosted it's first-ever mutual-aid hazardous materials emergency response training exercise with members of the Spokane, Wash. emergency responders here, Dec. 8-11.

Agencies involved include Spokane City Fire Department, Kootenai County emergency management, Spokane City EM, a 92nd Medical Group bioenvironmental engineer team, 92nd Medical Operations Squadron medical technicians and a 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron emergency management team.

Each day, around 40-60 individuals were participating, preparing responders in the Eastern Washington region for a potential HAZMAT situation.

Scenarios practiced during the exercise included a train derailment and hazardous gas leak through the heating a ventilation system of a building on base.

"Being able to come together and work in this capacity, utilizing all of our resources as a team is instrumental in preparing us for potential real-world situations," said Kimo Kuheana, 92nd CES fire chief. "This training and others like it help us to keep Fairchild and the community safe."