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Are We Ready For Terrorism At Home?

By Debbie Williams

After September 11th, it’s no longer impossible to believe a terrorist attack could happen on U.S. soil. Are We Ready For Terrorism At Home?

Published: Thu, August 23, 2007 - 4:01 pm Last Updated: Thu, August 23, 2007 - 7:42 pm

After September 11th, it’s no longer impossible to believe a terrorist attack could happen on U.S. soil.

To help better prepare for such an event, the Navy simulated an I.E.D. explosion on base to see just how prepared they are if it happens here.

"We got a report of a suspicious vehicle with three personnel inside a government vehicle with three personnel inside." Crackles the police radio, “That's a good copy sir, this is a drill."

It can happen in seconds, a terrorist, a bomb and then chaos.

What happens next? That’s what NAS Pensacola wants to find out according to spokesman Patrick Nichols. "In the event of a real world situation we don't want it to be the first time we test our capabilities."

When the scene is clear, firefighters, EMTs and others are allowed to treat the forty simulated patients. "Obviously this person has a right side chest wound potentially salvageable we’ll transport him immediately for immediate treatment."

From here, the scene shifts to the hospital. Patients are already arriving. "This to them is why their here." Captain Kevin Berry is Commanding Officer of the hospital.

"Many of the people you've seen today are combat veterans they've been there they've done it to them this is harkening back to memories of real world things faced in Fallujah or some other place."

Controlling the chaos is what it’s all about and being ready if it ever happens again.

All the simulated patients are sailors from Naval Air Technical Training Command. No one was really hurt.

Everyone involved with the drill will now assess their performance and work on any improvements.