[FLARES] Sarasota-Manatee County PADRE Drill

[Ron Wetjen]

Sarasota and Manatee County Amateurs took part in a "Passenger Aircraft
Disaster Response Exercise", PADRE, on Thursday, June 20, 2002.

The Sarasota/Bradenton Airport must hold an Emergency Drill every three
years, in order to be FAA certified.  This drill simulated a Passenger
Aircraft crashing into Sarasota Bay after take-off from the Airport.

A Command Post was set up at the Crosley Mansion, in Manatee County,
located on the shores of Sarasota Bay.   Amateurs deployed a portable
Communications Tower and Communications Trailer at the Command Post
site.

Rescue boats were dispatched to the "crash site" and simulated water
rescue.  In the meantime, behind the Crosley Mansion, students were
"made up" to simulate crash victims, and took positions along the
shoreline.  Emergency Response Units arrived on scene, and assessed the
victims conditions, and treated them accordingly.  Other "problems" were
thrown in to the mix, to see how they would respond.

Several Amateurs provided voice communications, by acting as "shadows"
for key Emergency Officials.  Amateurs also provided ATV coverage from
one of the rescue boats and the Triage area behind the Mansion.  In
addition, SSTV was used to transmit still pictures.

Amateurs participating in the drill include

Ed Gansen, K8DSS (Sarasota)
Al Alviani, N4LML (Sarasota)
Jack Doyle, WX1JAD (Sarasota)
Dave Armbrust, AE4MR (Sarasota)
Ron Wetjen, WD4AHZ (Sarasota)
Jim Frey, W8ISZ (Sarasota)
Frank Morton, AC4MK (Manatee)
Harvey Hernandez, N4TEC (Manatee)
Joe Rubin, W4CBJ (Manatee)
Jay Goley, WJ4UF (Sarasota)
Eddie Palmer, K4JP (Sarasota)


Amateurs contributed 90 man/hours to this drill.


73, Ron  WD4AHZ