Joint Emergency Response Training Session Held

On Saturday September 27th, a joint emergency response training session was held between Katmai National Park and the Bristol Bay Borough Fire Department – the first cooperatively planned training in a number of years.

The scenario-based training was held in the town of King Salmon and included volunteers from the local Civil Air Patrols chapter. A simulated ATV rollover accident was staged about a mile from town that was initially reported to Bristol Bay Borough Fire and EMS personnel. The scenario tested recently established communication protocols, mutual aid plans and both basic EMS and SAR skills. The fire department provided initial response to the medical emergency and called upon the park to assist with a search for a missing second patient.

Park GIS staff participated as well to perform real-time SAR mapping of field teams; an asset that the park is able to bring to the local community.

This training exercise established a solid foundation for future interagency operations.