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Amtrak crash and Oso landslide bring about training changes

The Amtrak crash and Oso landslide disaster taught first responders they can improve on how they work together - and that starts by training together.
The Amtrak crash and Oso landslide disaster taught first responders they can improve on how they work together - and that starts by training together. (Photo: KING)

Lessons learned from recent crashes and disasters have first responders changing the way they train.

They are starting to practice together.

The Washington National Guard trained with the West Thurston Regional for the first time Friday.

The National Guard helped evacuate volunteers who were wearing makeup, acting like survivors of a major earthquake who had been initially treated by West Thurston personnel.

West Thurston Captain Lanette Dyer said she was excited when the Guard contacted her about holding the exercise together.

“One of the things that really didn’t happen, that we saw in places like Oso and the recent train derailment, is that we still speak two different languages,” said Dyer.

Dyer said the military responders use different radios, terms, and equipment, but working on a disaster exercise helped the two agencies understand how each other works.

National Guard Staff Sgt. Jon Wentland said practicing together will mean the different agencies will work better together during a real disaster.

“This is just another way to kind of extend that umbrella,” said Wentland.

He responded to the Oso landslide and said if the Washington National Guard had better relationships with local agencies, they might have been able to respond faster.

“Our readiness was not ready,” said Wentland, who noted the Guard arrived at the Oso scene a day after the slide.

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