Confident in crisis: Exercise helps Pantexans prepare for the worst

A damaged vehicle used during the full-scale exercise on November 6

Pulling onto a busy farm road, a vehicle is T-boned at high speeds, trapping the occupants. Extraction rescue tools, sometimes known as the jaws of life, were quickly used to pull the wreckage away from the patients and rush them to an awaiting helicopter. At the same time, an explosion sets a building and the surrounding wildland ablaze.

It all looked serious, but none of it was real.

Emergency Preparedness Specialist Kenton Falerios and his team planned the practice scenario down to the frantic actors elevating the urgency at the scene by screaming for help.

Even though the “fire” was orange plastic cones, the firefighters treated it as a real scene and worked to preserve life and property. A mannequin was “driving“ the mangled car but first aid was administered as if the patient were real. Roads were closed down to simulate the real-life conditions needed to bring a medical helicopter on-site.

The full-scale exercise held on November 6 tested first responders’ emergency response capabilities. Emergency Response Organization (ERO) team members do not know ahead of time what the exercise will consist of or when it will occur. This is to replicate the essential rapid deployment of services across the plant site and to surrounding communities during a real disaster.

“Drills are a form of training and are important for our personnel to learn from,” Falerios said. “Exercises are the test to validate our plans, procedures and responses.”

When a crisis happens, even if only for training, the ERO is activated. More than 200 members make up 14 specialized teams collaborating to support emergency response. The ERO brings together subject matter experts to handle the incident and advise the incident commander, the person responsible for managing all aspects of the response.

First responders and members of the ERO participate in drills and exercises throughout the year, preparing for various emergency scenarios. These training sessions are essential for ensuring proficiency.

“Our goals are life safety, material protection, public safety, and restoring services to continue our mission,” Falerios said.

The exercise was site-wide and included Pantex first responders on shift, on-call ERO members, and local community partners from Carson County, the city of Panhandle, and Life Star helicopter ambulance service. The dedicated responders are concerned about the safety and welfare of the site and employees.

“Pantex Emergency Management could not effectively accomplish successful exercises or response without the support of Pantex volunteers and personnel,” Falerios said. “When the unexpected happens, we have a well-trained team ready to respond and restore operations as quickly as possible.”

This scenario was simulated, but what if a real emergency occurs at Pantex? Always call 477-3333 on a site phone to alert first responders. Falerios said to follow the direction of the Plant Shift Superintendent, uniform emergency responders, and building wardens.

Pantex first responders play a crucial role in ensuring safety, both within the plant and in our surrounding communities.

“They are a vital part of the safety envelope for not only the plant but for our surrounding communities,” Falerios said. “Each individual is assigned to a team with common skills or interests, creating a vast knowledge base to help key decision-makers find the best possible solutions.”

Practicing the skills needed to respond when disaster strikes leads to the team being ready to respond whenever an emergency happens.

“These exercises are proof Pantex is capable of handling any emergency at any time,” Falerios said.