Emergency exercises scheduled

Tinker’s annual tornado exercise takes place next week. In last year’s scenario, a simulated tornado hit a fuel tank near Bldg. 260, spilling 500,000 gallons of fuel and injuring dozens of people. Tinker Fire and Emergency Services, along with Del City and Midwest City fire departments and Samaritan Emergency Medical Service, were the first responders during the exercise. They helped 42 wounded victims by assessing their injuries and assisting them to triage areas. (Air Force photo by Kelly White/Released)

Emergency exercises scheduled

Published Feb. 19, 2016
By Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The annual tornado drill and other simulated emergencies will take place on base between Feb. 29 and March 4.

The tornado exercise will include all base personnel, while other scenarios will only affect certain buildings or areas of the base, said Paul Logan, 72nd Air Base Wing inspector general office and senior controller for the exercises.

Weather watches and warnings will precede the tornado drill. During the tornado warning, all Tinker personnel will be directed to go their assigned shelter or refuge and remain sheltered until the warning is canceled.

The exercise will include responding emergency vehicles, security forces and personnel with simulated injuries. If an exercise happens near you, "treat all responders of any sort as if the situation was real," Mr. Logan said. "Yield to emergency vehicles, and follow directions of any responders on scene to the best of your ability."

Road closures will be minimal and will not affect normal traffic flows on base, Mr. Logan said.

The week's exercises will also include an active shooter, damaged aircraft, and information assurance and continuity of operations exercises.