177th holds major accident response exercise

Shortly after 8 a.m., an F-16 Fighting Falcon engine run at the New Jersey Air National Guard’s 177th Fighter Wing resulted in a hydrazine spill.
Hydrazine – a highly toxic liquid – contaminated two maintenance Airmen. A responding maintenance vehicle struck a fuel truck parked near the main hangar, resulting in a fuel spill.
This was the scenario for the major accident response exercise – MARE – held at the Atlantic City Air National Guard Base, New Jersey, June 12, 2005. The exercise tested the wing’s ability to react to simultaneous incidents.
"MAREs are used to evaluate our required capabilities that are practiced on a day-to-day basis," said Lt. Col. Matt Wengler, quality assurance officer, 177th Fighter Wing.
MAREs evaluate the plans, communication processes, actions, and responses by the various wing groups and individuals that deal with major accidents on base. The exercise ensures that wing can resolve any problems before a real accident occurs.
Individually, these incidents would be considered minor accidents, but combined, they elevated the situation to the level of a major accident. Once this occurs, a multitude of actions take place.
Immediately, firefighters responded to both accident scenes. The secondary crash network comprised of security, medical, and command and control responders was activated. The wing’s Civil Engineer along with the Environmental Management Office dealt with the ground contamination. The Battle Staff appointed an on-scene commander who assumed command from the senior firefighter. The Disaster Control Group was formed and briefed on the accident.
The Battle Staff and the Survival and Recovery Center monitored the operation through communication with the on-scene commander and coordinated the responses of various teams to the accident.
These actions included sending the Hydrazine Response Team to remediate the spill site and having a medical team assess the two maintenance Airmen.
"The MARE’s primary function is to save lives," said Chief Master Sgt. Bill Sciarretta, quality assurance superintendent, 177th Fighter Wing. "Reducing further damage to equipment and isolating the accident scene for future investigation are secondary to saving lives."
Four hours later the MARE ended.
Even though this was an exercise, all personnel responded as if this was a real world event. That meant the 177th Fire Department coordinated with the Federal Aviation Administration dispatcher and the South Jersey Transit Authority emergency medical team, while airfield management coordinated with the Atlantic City International Airport.
At the end of the exercise, the various players assembled for a review.
"The exercise was a success. The processes were examined and some areas were identified for improvement, but that is a normal," said Wengler. "There is always room for improvement."

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