109th Airlift Wing will hold a Major Accident Response Exercise on Saturday, June 8

Media Advisory

STRATTON AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE , NY (06/07/2019) (readMedia)-- The 109th Airlift Wing will be working closely with about 50 area first responders in a Major Accident Response Exercise which will simulate a C-130 aircraft accident on Saturday, June 8.

Members of the press are invited to cover the event.

WHO: Fifty first responders to include: New York State Emergency Management Office, Schenectady County Fire and EMS Coordinator, Ellis Hospital, Glenville Police Department, Schenectady County Sheriffs, New York State Troopers, Stratton ANGB Fire Department, Alplaus Fire Department, Thomas Corners and East Glenville Fire Departments, and Mohawk Ambulance. Schenectady County Unified Communications Center will also support this exercise.

WHAT: A Major Accident Response Exercise which will entail a simulated C-130 aircraft accident on base. Thirty members of the Civil Air Patrol and the State University Emergency Mangement program will provide victims for the incident.

WHEN: 10 a.m., Saturday. June 8, 2019

WHERE: 109th Airlift Wing, 1 Air National Guard Rd., Scotia, NY, 12302

Members of the media MUST contact SMSgt Willie Gizara at 518-248-3799 no later than 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 8, 2019, in order to gain access to the secure facility.

Media Opportunity:

Media personnel should show up no later than 10 a.m. Interviews will be available with 109th Airlift Wing officials as well as community agency representatives to discuss the MARE. Media are invited to get imagery/video of the entire event which is expected to conclude no later than 2 p.m.

Background:

A Major Accident Response Exercise must be held by air wings annually in order to exercise disaster response under mutual aid agreements with community first responders.

"This exercise is designed to evaluate the ability to respond to an aircraft mishap, aircraft fire suppression, area security, triage victims and work with safety investigators," said Lt. Col. Ronald Ankabrandt, 109th Airlift Wing Inspector General. "In the unlikely event that an aircraft accident occurs on our base, our unit wants to ensure our first responders are trained to react in accordance with checklist and experience. Additionally, we want to ensure that an established cooperative and collaborative relationship exists with local, state and federal emergency responders."