MARE

Airman 1st Class Gregg Lowry, an explosive ordinance disposal apprentice with the 436th Civil Engineer Squadron, operates the remote for the F-6 Talon EOD robot during the Major Accident Response Exercise Feb. 16, 2012, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. The MARE tested the emergency management personnel on proper procedures when handling a suspicious package containing unknown chemicals. (U.S. Air Force photo by Steve Kotecki)

MARE

An F-6 Talon Explosive Ordinance Disposal robot checks through a box suspected of containing simulated chemical agents as part of the Major Accident Response Exercise Feb. 16, 2012, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. The MARE allowed emergency management members practice their trade and prepare them for real-world threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Steve Kotecki)

MARE

An emergency management technician with the 436th Civil Engineer Squadron, photographs a simulated chemical agent during the Major Accident Response Exercise Feb. 16, 2012, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. The MARE tested the emergency management personnel on proper procedures when handling a suspicious package that contained unknown chemicals. (U.S. Air Force photo by Steve Kotecki)

Exercise tests, increases emergency readiness

Published Feb. 21, 2012
By Senior Airman Matthew Hubby
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- The 436th Airlift Wing performed a Major Accident Response Exercise Feb. 16, 2012, to test and train the response of the base's emergency responders to biological or chemical threats at Dover Air Force Base, Del.

The goal of the MARE was to provide an opportunity for the emergency management Airmen to respond and react to a significant bio-environment hazard and assess their ability to coordinate with on and off-base agencies.

"Exercises such as this MARE allow us to review and assess some of our most
critical processes and procedures, and give our Airmen an opportunity to rehearse various scenarios and hone their respective skills," said Richard Bowman, chief of exercise evaluation and planning for the 436th AW.

By focusing on their skills and processes, the emergency responders were able to communicate effectively and pass information to each other, sharing information to other responders to help establish which procedure to follow.

"The goal was definitely achieved," said Bowman. "The opportunity for Dover AFB emergency responders to interact with agencies on-and-off base and implement response processes that are not utilized on a regular basis was a very important part of this exercise."

This exercise allowed the emergency responders to utilize their training as they would during a real world incident, enabling them to be prepared should the worst occur.

"The key here is to not worry about preparing for exercises, but to be the best Airman possible every day. If we do that, whether it's an exercise or a real world event, we will always be ready," said Bowman. "The communication between firefighters, security forces and medical personnel was impressive, and as always, our wing answered like champs."