Local fire and rescue squad volunteers were praised for their efforts Saturday when responding to a mass causality incident “as realistic as you can make it without it being dangerous,” according to 1st Sgt. M.C. Davis, of the Virginia State Police.
More than 50 volunteers – including volunteer rescue squad members from Ararat, JEB Stuart, Smith River and Vesta as well as volunteer firefighters from Ararat, Fairystone, Patrick Springs, Patrick Henry, and Woolwine – participated in the drill that began to unfold around 9 a.m. at the Patrick County Administration Building.
The story line was that a defendant in a court case shot and killed his defense attorney, at least one law enforcement officer, and wounded five others before starting a fire and trying to flee the scene.
A Patrick County Sheriff’s deputy apprehended the man shortly after 9 a.m., and cleared the building of other threats before firefighters raced up the stairs in full turnout gear to extinguish the simulated blaze.
Working their way through the thick smoke that filled the hallway, the four-man team of firefighters reached the blaze and started efforts to extinguish it.
Two firefighters were overcome by smoke in a matter of minutes. As they collapsed, the alarms on their personal safety devices began to sound as a firefighter radioed for help.
“Mayday … Mayday … Mayday. Two firefighters down … Get them out of here. Get them out of here,” could be heard as one of the firefighters was dragged from the front lines.
Additional firefighters arrived and crawled to fill the vacant posts to continue battling the blaze as the second firefighter was pulled to safety.
“I’m burning. I’m burning …. Get out of here. I’m burning. I can’t see,” a voice screamed, splitting the thick smoke in the hallway. “Help me. Help me.” Barely visible in the smoke was a woman. The burns on each arm became evident as she navigated the hallway.
Woolwine firefighter David Goode, who was the commander of the fire team attacking the blaze, attempted to get her to safety. She took a few more steps and then collapsed.
From his station on the third floor, Goode radioed for help: “Do we have help on the way,” he asked a dispatcher.
“No sir. We have help inside the building, but no outside assistance yet,” was the reply.
Goode continued to work with the woman until she regained consciousness. He then helped her crawl to the safety of the stairwell.
After the fire was extinguished, Goode said learning outside help was not available “puts a lot of stress on you,” in addition to attacking the blaze. “Manpower is crucial to do all the jobs. Four guys to do search and rescue, I don’t know that that’s quite enough,” particularly given that two were down and the others were busy attacking the blaze.
“This really makes you realize what you need” to respond to a real incident, he said.
Davis, who was among those to give input at the debriefing held after the drill, praised volunteer crews for their efforts throughout the incident.
The fire elements, active shooter and other aspects of the drill “are about as real as it’s going to get.” He said in his experience, “the closest thing to this (drill) is the Virginia Tech shooting,” Davis said.
In addition to Davis, representatives from other agencies to participate in the control team were Jamie Dooley, a paramedic from Surry County; Daniel Hill, City of Martinsville EMS; Kevin Sowers, the emergency manager for Floyd County; Chris Garrett, of the Virginia Department of Health and others.
“You guys did great. You all have got something to be proud of here,” Sowers said, and added the incident was realistic and tested the county’s resources.
“We’re paid and we train,” Hill said of his job in Martinsville. “You all, as volunteers, did great. You all did awesome.”
County employees from several departments also participated in the event.
Patrick County Emergency Management Coordinator Steve Allen, who put the scenario and incident together, said the drill was to help identify weaknesses, strengths and for emergency agencies hone their skills.
“I made it as hard as I could,” Allen said. “Everyone did a great job.”
David Goode, commander of the Woolwine firefighters attacking the blaze, said the drill helped show what is needed to respond to real incidents. (Photo by Linda Hylton)
