Hamilton County emergency personnel will be participating in Mass Casualty Incident Training from Oct. 1 through 3. Designed to test and train first responders, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Deputy Bryant Orem stated the training will involve fire, smoke and noise. Residents and those in the area of the training site at River Road and 160th Street in Noblesville are being notified prior to the exercise.

“The three-day training will simulate a tornado touchdown in Hamilton County and the emergency response to the disaster,” he stated. “Public safety personnel from across Hamilton County will be participating.”

Orem said residents can expect to see and hear numerous emergency vehicles and first responders during the training hours from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. No roads will be closed during the training. However, numerous emergency vehicles will be in the area throughout the three days.

Recognizing the need to be ready to respond quickly and effectively to a mass casualty incident from either man-made or natural disasters, first responders from many Hamilton County agencies will train together during the three-day scenario. Participants include members from fire and medic services, law enforcement personnel, 911 communications, emergency management, public and private health sectors and local government.

“Training in coordination with other agencies will provide emergency personnel hands-on practice in dealing with an Incident Command System that would most likely be established in the wake of a tragedy such as a tornado, extensive flooding, or terrorist attack,” Orem stated. “The exercise will also give first responders a chance to test equipment and tactics that could be used during such an event.”

During the three days, different agencies and officers from around the county will be rotated through the scenarios to provide training to many personnel. Planned events during the training include structure fires, water rescues, auto extrications, tactical rescues, gas line breaks and hazardous materials incidents.