David Stansbury KB3KAI

Now that I’ve had a chance to cool down, decompress and reflect upon the Harford County WMD / terrorist event exercise, I’ll now post some comments.

I left work early on Wednesday, July 12, 2006 to participate in the WMD exercise. Arriving at the staging area at the Havre de Grace community center at 1:00 PM, I immediately noticed a large amount of resources on site. Lots of fire, ambulance and police equipment and personnel were on hand. Some folks were setting up emergency shelters, lots more were standing by. Within minutes I was assigned to the river rescue exercise scene to assist with communications.

Upon arrival at the river rescue site, located behind the American Legion in Havre de Grace, I once again found lots of resources on hand. There was plenty of equipment and personnel waiting to be put to work. Two boats were in the water with divers actively searching for simulated victims. A dozen additional personnel were observing from the Legion’s shaded picnic pavilion. I joined my Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services brethren at the pavilion.

While at the site there were two messages requested via RACES by the water rescue team. Both were for weather reports as there was a possibility of thunderstorms. At approx. 3:30 PM the Harford EOC reported lightning was expected in our area in 15 to 20 minutes. The water rescue team promptly pulled their divers out of the water. The Harford County RACES secured operations at this site by 4:00 PM.

I was then assigned to the Aberdeen City Hall. I found little activity there as the day’s events were pretty much wrapped up. Finally at 6:00 PM I received permission to secure and went home.

At the various locations I visited this day I found a lot of fire, ambulance and police personnel with few or no assignments. Ideally each person should be kept at least mildly busy, even if the tasks are boring or tedious. The Harford County Amateur Radio Emergency Communications personnel worked great as usual - setting up communications, overcoming obstacles and following a strict formal net control protocol. Hopefully any future county exercises will be planned in greater detail to keep us busy!

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