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Numerous agencies team up for mass casualty drill at Hill Air Force Base

Posted at 2:40 PM, May 18, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-18 16:40:17-04

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah – Everyone hopes a mass casualty incident doesn’t happen, but public safety officials say it’s important to be as prepared as possible should the worst occur.

About 30 agencies from northern Utah joined forces for a mass casualty drill at Hill Air Force Base Wednesday, and roughly 200 students from a nearby Clearfield Job Corps Center lent their acting skills to the cause as victims.

Commander Ronald Jolly, U.S. Air Force 75th Air Base Wing, said the chance to train with nearby agencies while simulating mass casualty conditions is a valuable opportunity.

“We do these so that we’re prepared for any type of scenario that could happen,” he said. “Especially training with our community first responders, because in a mass casualty, we may not have the opportunity, or we may not have the man power, to deal with a lot of the injuries.”

The drill was held ahead of an upcoming air show, and event organizers said the timing was beneficial as they were able to sharpen their skills ahead of an event that could draw more than half a million attendees.