May 25, 2012
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Reporter: Jake Wasikowski

Disaster Drill Prepares Responders

It's a scenario, not often seen, but always prepared for. More than 150 police, fire, and EMS worked together at Werner Park on a full scale exercise to help prepare them for any situation. Captain John Kucer with the Sarpy County sheriff's Office had to put his men in the right place, and make the tough decisions to save lives.

"We have to real time real life, not in an office or around a table top, but right here and now say ok this is how we're going to solve that problem," Captain Kucer explained.

Emergency responders figured out how to handle an active shooter with hostages, explosions, people exposed to harmful chemicals, and a number of casualties.

"I don't know that you're ever prepared for all scenarios, it's the best you can do to try and emulate what you think might happen in a situation like this," said Sarpy County Sheriff Jeff Davis.

With Werner Park set to open to the public in a few weeks for the 1st Omaha Storm Chasers game, authorities wanted to make sure they knew the area inside and out.

"All the good things that the ballpark brings to Sarpy County, we wanted to make sure we can do the best thing for our visitors here," said Larry Lavelle, the Director of Sarpy County Emergency Management.

EMS, fire, and police were all closely monitored by evaluators who will talk with them and decide what worked, and what could be improved. Kucer says he enjoys watching all agencies work together to accomplish one goal.

"Its just going to make our community, I think, a little bit safer and giving them some assurance that in an event that something happens at least we practiced it," Captain Kucer described.

About 300 people in all, including volunteers, participated in today's mock disaster drill.


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