04/06/2008: "Disaster Drill at Friday Harbor on Sunday"

The emergency services organizations serving San Juan Island, in conjunction with the Port of Friday Harbor, will hold a mass casualty disaster DRILL on Sunday morning, April 6.

“This event is an important opportunity for the participants to practice decision making and communication on a scale not frequently experienced in San Juan County. The commitment of time and effort by all the participants is an important sign to Islanders that we are paying attention to preparedness for all the scales of incident that might happen here,” said Brendan Cowan, Director of the San Juan County and Town of Friday Harbor Department of Emergency Management.

Access to areas around the Port will be limited. There may be some congestion along Spring Street and Front Street, as emergency service vehicles move between the scene, the InterIsland Medical Center, and the Friday Harbor Airport. Traffic to and from the ferry will not be restricted.

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“The Port, being a port of entry, does a readiness exercise periodically as part of our homeland security responsibility. We appreciate the support of the emergency services and the Port’s customers in this activity,” said Tami Hayes, Harbormaster of the Port of Friday Harbor.

“Emergency services regularly look at a variety of scenarios that might occur in San Juan County. An event involving numerous components in and around the harbor is definitely on our list. This exercise is an important opportunity to simultaneously address all these elements and to coordinate our actions and communications,” said Sheriff Bill Cumming.

Organizations that will be participating in the drill include

Port of Friday Harbor
San Juan County Sheriff (deputies, dispatch, and rescue boat Guardian)
San Juan County Dive Rescue Team
San Juan Island Emergency Medical Services
InterIsland Medical Center
Friday Harbor Fire Department including Fireboat Confidence
San Juan County Fire Protection District #3 (San Juan Island)
IOSA – Islands’ Oil Spill Association
American Red Cross Disaster Action Team
San Juan County Public Works Department
Airlift Northwest
Island Air Ambulance
US Coast Guard
US Navy Search and Rescue from Whidbey Island Naval Air Station Washington State Ferry System
San Juan County Fire Marshal
US Customs and Border Protection
San Juan County and Town of Friday Harbor Department of Emergency Management

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NOTE: The availability and arrival of medical evacuation aircraft at Friday Harbor Airport will be simulated in coordination with the various providers. No actual aircraft will be utilized in this drill.