910th, Red Cross team up for mock aircraft disaster exercise Published Oct. 31, 2014 By Master Sgt. Bob Barko Jr. 910th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Office YOUNGSTOWN AIR RESERVE STATION, Ohio -- The 910th Airlift Wing and American Red Cross of the Mahoning Valley teamed up to conduct a mock aircraft crash disaster response training event here, Oct. 27, 2014. The "Feel the Heat" event included a simulated aircraft crash during which a small charter plane developed engine trouble, fell short of the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport's runway and crashed into a nearby house. In the scenario, the 910th Civil Engineer Fire Department responded to contain the aircraft fire while the American Red Cross acted as secondary responders to provided care and comfort to simulated survivors. This included CPR demonstrations and the use of the agency's Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) to distribute water, coffee and snacks. Event participants also had the opportunity to go through the 910th Fire Department's "Smoke House," a building designed to aid in strengthening one's confidence while trying to navigate through a smoke-filled structure. The exercise was designed to demonstrate the high level of readiness of the air station's first responders and the everyday work of the area's American Red Cross staff and volunteers who respond to the plight of those in need of their services in the local community. An audience of more than 80 Red Cross staff and volunteers, invited guests and area media outlets were on hand to observe the exercise. American Red Cross of the Mahoning Valley Executive Director Karen Conklin said the event was also designed to showcase the partnership between the military and the Red Cross. "We are the only organization authorized by the DoD (Department of Defense) to find a Servicemember (during a time of need at home) anywhere in the world, so we already work well with the military," Conklin said. "The whole idea (of this exercise) is to showcase what we do here in the valley every single day and the fact we are ready should a disaster occur." Col. James Dignan, 910th Airlift Wing commander, said the exercise is another great opportunity for the 910th Airlift Wing to team up with a community agency to receive mutually beneficial and potentially life-saving training. "This is a way to give back to an agency that is always here to support us," said Dignan. "We are working with our partners in the local community to practice coming together in the event of an emergency at the Youngstown-Warren regional airport here." The Red Cross executive director echoed the wing commander's take on the exercise's importance. "This is what would happen should a tragic event happen here," Conklin added. "We would cooperate with the local authorities and provide the help that is needed. This event really is a win-win for all of us." The 910th's commander also said the exercise is an opportunity for the wing to get to know neighboring agencies long before they would need to work together in a disaster situation. "Sometimes out here at YARS, as with all military installations, we seem to be pretty happy inside the fence. But, it's more and more important for us to be part of the community both inside and outside the base," Dignan said. "So, this is an opportunity for us to reach out to the local community because it's better to practice in peace time, as we say, then have to... exchange business cards in an emergency." The training exercise is the second event to take place as part of the Air Force Community Partnership Program (AFCPP) at Youngstown Air Reserve Station (YARS), which has been ongoing since June 23, 2014. The AFCPP is designed to identify and develop mutually beneficial partnerships between Air Force installations and surrounding communities. The aim of the program is to leverage the intellectual capital, resources and entrepreneurial spirit of our installation and community to improve cost effective operations and quality of life programs; all while supporting local economic goals and interests. YARS is one of 17 installations in the Air Force and the first of only two wings in Air Force Reserve Command participating in the AFCPP to explore cost-saving opportunities through partnerships and shared services with local communities, government agencies and the private sector. Although the partnership program is less than a year old at YARS, the "Feel the Heat" exercise reinforced long-standing mutual aid packages the 910th has in place with neighboring first response agencies. "The Youngstown Air Reserve Station firefighters are responsible for responding to any potential incidents here at the airfield," said Captain Kevin Brichetto of the 910th Civil Engineer Fire Department. "We have agreements with the outside departments to respond to their needs and for them to respond to our needs, it all works together, we can't do it alone."