A simulated jet crash was conducted Dec. 10 to test the coordinated efforts of base fire and rescue with the City of Virginia Beach emergency services outside of the Oceana gates for the first time.

The drill, located at the Princess Anne Athletic Complex off Dam Neck Road, was planned to add a new complex element to training for military and city firefighters and emergency response personnel.

“All the drills run on the base in the past have been to train Oceana personnel on how to handle different type of disasters, whether man-made or natural and we have incorporated the city emergency team to supplement,” said John Heistand, installation training officer. “This exercise was different, so the city was the first responder to a location outside the base and our personnel came to help them control the situation.”

Heistand explained the areas where city firefighters are most knowledgeable such as structure fires, is helpful training to firefighters from the Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Fire & Emergency Services. On the other hand, the drill at the Princess Anne Athletic Complex simulated a jet crash and provided training for the city firefighters who are not as familiar with that scenario.

“That says a lot about the City of Virginia Beach, letting us write the scenario and helping us with training in their jurisdiction,” he noted.

The 90-minute drill involved a simulated jet crash which left two pilots ejected and four “bystanders” in the park with second and third degree burns. Four calls were placed to 911 and dispatch was put out for the city emergency response. The police helicopter was sent out to search for the pilots, while firefighters controlled the blazing jet and rescue squad personnel tended to the four injured bystanders. Oceana then sent a crash truck, structural pumper, medical squad, security contingency, fire chief, command duty officer (CDO) and the air operations duty officer (AODO).

“Being prepared is the key to success,” said Regional Public Safety Director Capt. John Fristachi. “The challenge is the different languages of both emergency teams… but they are working smoothly together in progression of the series of drills. They’re doing a great job with their capabilities and expertise, bringing confidence to the scenarios.”

Heistand reaffirmed the success of the drill and noted, as with all drills, lessons learned will be incorporated in future scenarios.

“After each drill, the stacks of paperwork with all the logistics is reduced to a simple explanation for reference,” he said. “We start from scratch each time without going back to the last drill for help. That way we are on top of it every time and no more prepared than if it were a real situation.”

More drills are in the works as early as next spring, with plans to use more off-base locations to continually keep both city and base EMS and fire personnel ready for anything.