U.S. Air Force Capt. Amalia Solano, left, 35th Medical Group patient care team member, and Staff Sgt. Hyun Cho, right, 35 MDG aerospace medical technician, move simulated patient Airman 1st Class James Powell, 35th Security Forces Squadron member, during an emergency management exercise at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 25, 2012. The exercise tested the bases’ ability to respond to a natural disaster. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan Lipscomb/Released)
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Ed Lagrou, 35th Medical Support Squadron commander, briefs medical group section leaders during an emergency management exercise at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 25, 2012. During the exercise members of the 35th Medical Group evacuated the hospital for a simulated fire. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan Lipscomb/Released)
Members of the 35th Medical Group set up an alternate patient care facility at Edgren High School as part of the emergency management exercise at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 25, 2012. After losing the primary care facility to a simulated fire, the 35 MDG transformed the high school into an alternate treatment facility as they moved all necessary supplies and manpower into position. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan Lipscomb/Released)
Members of the 35th Medical Group set up an alternate patient care facility at Edgren High School as part of the emergency management exercise at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 25, 2012. During the exercise the base hospital suffered a simulated gas-induced fire that caused 35 MDG personnel to evacuate and use alternate facilities to care for patients. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan Lipscomb/Released)
6/26/2012 - MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- At 5:45 a.m. June 25, a simulated 9.2-magnitude earthquake woke base residents during a base-wide exercise. As part of the exercise, the base hospital suffered a simulated gas-induced fire.
During the exercise, the simulated fire was extinguished quickly with no casualties reported and, according to Lt. Col. Ed LaGrou, 35th Medical Group medical support squadron commander, first responders arrived on scene to assess and repair damages.
As a precautionary measure, Airmen from the medical group evacuated the hospital's patients and began setting up an alternate patient care center at Edgren High School.
"We have an agreement with the school to use their facility for medical purposes in situations such as these," said LaGrou.
The 35 MDG staff moved all necessary supplies to the high school and set up mandatory stations to prepare the school to treat patients. Despite the move, the medical staff is equipped and capable of handling a large range of medical emergencies.
According to Captain Chad Willis, 35th Medical Group Triage team chief, if a patient required more intensive medical care than readily available, 35 MDG has already coordinated with the Misawa City and Hachinohe, Japan, hospitals for assistance if needed.
"We take these types of exercises very seriously," said Willis. "People who were here last year know a big earthquake like this can happen at any time and we need to be prepared with response teams in place."
