A simulated helicopter crash brought together Navy and civilian agencies Wednesday for a training operation that multiple Navy officials called “invaluable” for all parties involved.
Central Whidbey Island Fire and Rescue, WhidbeyHealth, Island County Sheriff’s Office and Navy Search and Rescue joined Navy firefighters at Outlying Field Coupeville the morning of Aug. 17, where a burning helicopter, two life-sized dummies and a number of Navy personnel with painted-on wounds were strewn across the airstrip.
The scenario was set up to train first responders for the possibility of an aircraft landing mishap. According to Executive Officer Cmdr. Tim Oswalt, it has been decades since Naval Air Station Whidbey Island experienced such an incident, though at military bases throughout the country, there are a handful each year.
“If something were actually to happen here on the island, the fact that we can operate together, that we can communicate … is critical,” he said.
Outlying Field staffs a firehouse whenever aircraft activities are going on. Navy firefighters stationed there were the first to respond to the training blaze, then reached out to community partners who joined them at the scene. Oswalt said this was the first exercise in which WhidbeyHealth has actively participated in the response at the scene.
Base Captain Eric Hanks said he was excited to coordinate the drill across organizations.
“It’s a team effort to respond quickly to minimize casualties and maximize response capabilities,” he said. “We have a great working relationship with the community partners, and I’m very happy about that.”
First responders practice loading a wounded patient onto a stretcher at Outlying Field Coupeville.
A Navy Search and Rescue helicopter takes off with two Navy personnel simulating critically wounded patients in a training Wednesday morning.
