Base-wide exercise begins Oct. 30

A military working dog team sweeps the exterior of the National Air and Space Intelligence Center during an active shooter exercise at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Aug. 2. The exercise was held as part of the requirement set for military installations to hold active shooter exercises twice a year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Wesley Farnsworth)

A military working dog team sweeps the exterior of the National Air and Space Intelligence Center during an active shooter exercise at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Aug. 2. The exercise was held as part of the requirement set for military installations to hold active shooter exercises twice a year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Wesley Farnsworth)

Oct. 30 marks the start of the year’s final, week-long, base-wide exercise, and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base personnel will be evaluated on emergency responses as different exercise scenarios are played out across the installation.

Air piracy response, pandemic response and shelter-in-place exercises are among the planned activities for the week, designed to meet annual exercise requirements as prescribed by Air Force instructions.

As with past exercises, many of the sights, sounds and actions, including movement of emergency response personnel, will be present, and the base populace is reminded to respond appropriately. Exercise officials emphasize that safety first should be the overarching consideration for all activities.

Everyone should treat the exercise events as though they were actually occurring, even though an event may be playing out on another part of the base. Wing Inspection Team members will evaluate the response to exercise events throughout the entire installation.

Some of the following effects of the exercise could include:

* Gate traffic could be backed up or rerouted to other entry control points if the gate is closed.

* Emergency response vehicles will be moving around the base.

* Travel may be congested.

* Some roadways may be temporarily blocked.

* Security measures will be increased.

* “Giant Voice” might be activated.

* Telephonic and electronic notification methods will be utilized.

* Alert sirens may be sounded

Communities surrounding the base may hear the sirens and are advised that it is part of an exercise unless otherwise notified.

As with most exercises, some base personnel will be tested on the use of an automated external defibrillator. These potentially life-saving portable electronic devices when used properly can automatically diagnose potentially life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias and then through defibrillation, allow the heart to reestablish an effective rhythm.

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