By: Daiyu Tang
The Hathian municipal services are known from time to time to stage training events in order to better co-ordinate disaster responses and for other situations that arise within Hathian. Usually, there is a lead emergency service, for example the Hathian Police Department (‘HPD’) that sets the scope of the exercise and is then responsible for working with the other services to ensure they can contribute and benefit from the overall scenario.
In this scenario, which we understand was authored by the FDH the objective was to deal with a multiple stage incident with a range of threats. These included deploying the Bomb Squad, Firefighters, the EMS crews and the HPD to deal with a suspicious device, hostage taking and potential casualties.
We received the following overview from the FDH, showing just how organised their leadership is. All of Hathian citizens should be grateful that when required the emergency services have gone through the rigour of a serious exercise such as this.
((All gallery images can be expanded with a click))
Exercise Overview
This extract indicates a high-octane and adrenalin fuelled scenario and even for many who may dislike the Hathian PD or some of the associated emergency services, it is a fascinating insight into what they do.
“This high-intensity training scenario combines bomb disposal, fire suppression, a simulated hostage situation, and patient triage to test the FDH Bomb Squad’s, Firefighters and EMS’s ability to operate effectively under extreme pressure,. A suspicious device has been reported at the fire tower, and HPD is simultaneously managing a hostage situation on the upper floor. To add complexity, simulated patients with varying injuries will be located in the fire tower, requiring FDH to perform triage and coordinate their evacuation once the bomb threat is neutralized. While these incidents would not typically occur simultaneously, this scenario is designed for training purposes to challenge all departments and improve interagency coordination.”
Heading to the Skies
I was given a very basic safety presentation and then, for the second time in my life in Hathian I was airborne under the control of Pilot Captain Lt. Blackheart (seen above carrying her helmet and headsets). Giving credit where credit is due, the Lt. is a capable pilot. The video below was taken on an earlier training exercise, but after the Observer’s team added a sound-track to the drone following footage, we hope you can imagine this, but in a larger, more military style helicopter (Military Tech: HPD? No… never!) as per the lead image.
Once we were over the target building (the training town near HGH) it was a case of all cops out of the helicopter by rope… and then one screaming journalist carried by one of the cops. This wasn’t in the safety briefing, explaining the screaming.
Anyway dear reader, you will be relieved that I made it safely onto the roof of the building. Obviously, while I was doing this, the hard working staff of the FDH and other colleagues were working through the building from other angles on the suspicious device angle, although of course any threats had to be neutralised before rescue workers could be safe.
Breach & Clear
Taking cover behind one (or more to be honest as Hiroshi has a thick backside with all that gear) of the officers who were all using paintball weapons, we cleared out the roof of ‘dummy’ terrorists, (in reality target boards) and rescued pretend hostages. I was however informed that ‘Team 2’, comprising HPD officers were playing a role of ‘terrorists’ and would and could shoot at us at any moment. Fortunately, I am small (and innocent) and thus not a target.
Speaking of ‘Team 2’, one wonders where Officer Ritter gets her paintball outfits from. This is pretty terrifying, but also unless those eye holes have really good wire mesh, a possibly risk to eye health.
Team 2 was setup throughout the building and it’s fair to say they were quite keen to shoot at the officers I was with, a lot. Repeatedly.
The rules of the engagement included that shots counted, so if you were shot in the leg that was serious (and if you got shot in the ass multiple times, that was just indicative…)
Full Service
No, not a comment on Max at the Rub n’ Tug, but a reflection on how the FDH and HGH staff pulled together to deal with the scenario. While I was not with the team dealing with the suspicious device I understand that Eleri Pentewyn is now in FDH uniform (that will be one hot calendar month) and was working with other staff to deal with the potential bomb.
Outside other colleagues were gathering including the great and good of the FDH.
With one of our Top Models / Potential Mr.Hathian contestants (Spurs) in the driving seat of an ambulance it was all hands and all machines, which to my point in the main article is something Hathian should be proud with. We do have dedicated people working to keep us safe?
Afterall, when was the last time you heard (even in the Observer) about Spurs doing anything, or Rog doing anything bad other than park the ambulance at Titty Twister?
In some ways Hathian is blessed, although Maja does insist Corbin sells Meth. Look at him though below… I personally think he just sold Maja with his good looks and then left her for the hack she is. Anyway.
We understand that the event went well and demonstrated capabilities and collective teamwork. While there may have been a few instances of friendly fire, this reporter is happy to say that she was able to leave the ‘hot zone’ in one piece, which is more than can be said for some training targets. No actual serious injuries were reported, so overall this must count in Hathian, at least, as a successful event, which the Observer was (and is) thankful to have been able to report on.
