Preparing for the worst

• Plane Crash

A mock plane crash drill was performed at the Silver Bay City Hall parking lot Monday. Matt Suoja
• Emergency Personnel

Emergency personnel were involved from around the area, including Silver Bay, Two Harbors, Finland and Brimson. North Shore Oil and Propane and Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Specialists, based out of Hermantown, facilitated the “crash” that included the care of victims, both in real life form and with dummies. Firefighters doused flames on the ground and entered a fuselage to take out the victims. Matt Suoja
• Crash Drill

A mock plane crash drill in a Silver Bay parking lot Monday offered training for emergency responders from around the area. Matt Suoja
• Planned

The whole scene was planned using the National Incident Management System, with everyone knowing a role and following a chain of command. Matt Suoja
• 'Victims'

After the fire was contained, firefighters removed “victims” (humans and dummies) from the aircraft and delivered them to rescue members who provided triage with priority categories according to injury. Matt Suoja
• Airplane Fire

BJ Kohlstedt, Lake County emergency management coordinator, said airplane fires burn at about 2,000 degrees while a house fire generally tops out at 800. Matt Suoja

Talk about it

A mock plane crash drill in a Silver Bay parking lot Monday offered training for emergency responders from around the area – including Silver Bay, Two Harbors, Finland and Brimson. North Shore Oil and Propane and Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Specialists, based out of Hermantown, facilitated the “crash.”

The whole scene was planned using the National Incident Management System, with everyone knowing a role and following a chain of command. Firefighters set up safety zones and controlled the fire while city police provided safety to the public and protected the scene for later investigation.

After the fire was contained, firefighters removed “victims” (humans and dummies) from the aircraft and delivered them to rescue members who provided triage with priority categories according to injury. Ambulance crews then treated them at the scene until they were deemed suitable for transport and sent to hospitals.

BJ Kohlstedt, Lake County emergency management coordinator, said airplane fires burn at about 2,000 degrees while a house fire generally tops out at 800.

“The goal is to get all agencies working together,” Kohlstedt said.

The last reported plane crash in the area was in 1997, when a Duluth-based fighter jet crash-landed north of Two Harbors. The pilot suffered spatial disorientation and died on impact.

Tags: two harbors, news, silver bay, plane crash