MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis is preparing for the worst.
One of the largest response training ever in the state of Tennessee is set to take place in Shelby County.
Local teams, TEMA and the Tennessee National Guard will conduct a week-long elaborate training for responding to a devastating earthquake.
“It just makes us more aware of what to do.”
We’ve heard for years about the potential of a massive, destructive earthquake in our area along the New Madrid fault.
That’s one reason Tennessee National Guard Colonel Raymond Robinson told me, everyone needs to be ready.
“When the crisis happens you don’t go into panic mode. You go into let’s get things in order mode.”
Next week some of the major players in responding to a disaster like local emergency services, TEMA and the National Guard will do hands-on training called Tennessee Maneuvers.
Units from Nashville and Knoxville will fly in to practice securing the Memphis airport and will fly supply routes.
Besides the airport, they will also be analyzing bridges.
Officials said from Nashville to Memphis there are 349 bridges that span emergency supply routes.
“Part of the training will be looking at bridges and overpasses here in the Memphis area and figuring out if there is a potential earthquake and they’re damaged how resources can still get around our area.”
They’ll also simulate an emergency with dozens of people injured or killed.
“We’re gonna simulate the main terminal collapse at Memphis International and at the Fed Ex Hub,” said Colonel Andy Trautman.
For Dale Lane, director of the Shelby County Office of Preparedness, the whole point of the week long exercises is to identify gaps and make sure they have a strong partnership with outside resources.
“We saw in Katrina how important those military assets were in rescue operations as well as bringing in food and supplies. That’s what we’re going for here.”
