Some area residents may have seen dozens of emergency vehicles and crews Wednesday and wondered what was going on. It was only a drill. The Lucas County Emergency Management Agency conducted a full scale Homeland Security exercise.
Area SWAT and hazmat teams worked together with other emergency first responders to prepare for a major security threat.
The Lucas County EMA director says the exercise provided "an opportunity for our regional response partners to test their plans, training, and specialized equipment that have been funded by the Department of Homeland Security."
The exercise, named the Black Swamp Security Exercise, was designed to engage local hazardous materials (HAZMAT), explosive ordinance disposal (Bomb Squad), special weapons and tactics (SWAT, mass casualty, and interoperable communications capabilities.
The drills took place at three different sites: Maumee, Oregon and the Erie Street Market.
"As much real world training that we can do, the better things work for us," says Toledo Fire Lieutenant Matt Hertzfeld. "You can sit at a table and talk about things, but until you get in the real world where it's going to happen…It helps us as first responders prepare."
Officials will hold a conference next month to discuss the results of the exercise and where there is room for improvement.
Monday, June 17 2013 9:35 PM EDT2013-06-18 01:35:53 GMT
Day 15 ends with no sign of the missing East Toledo toddler. FBI divers spent Monday combing the Maumee River for 18-month-old Elaina Steinfurth. The search boast spent five hours on the water near the
FBI divers spent Monday combing the Maumee River for 18-month-old Elaina Steinfurth.
Monday, June 17 2013 9:25 PM EDT2013-06-18 01:25:26 GMT
Three missing Michigan brothers will be featured on national television this week. Andrew, Alexander and Tanner Skelton went missing from their father's home more than two years ago. John Skelton is
Three missing Michigan brothers will be featured on national television this week. Andrew, Alexander and Tanner Skelton went missing from their father's home more than two years ago. Former America's Most Wanted host John Walsh is investigating the case. He and a camera crew spent time in Morenci last December.
Monday, June 17 2013 7:57 PM EDT2013-06-17 23:57:59 GMT
Hail to the size of ping pong balls and golf balls, funnel clouds and uprooted, large trees have all been listed among the storm reports from central parts of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan
Hail to the size of ping pong balls and golf balls, funnel clouds and uprooted, large trees have all been listed among the storm reports from central parts of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan this Monday afternoon and evening.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:06 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:06:19 GMT
Erie County police thought they were working a theft case at the Sandusky Walmart, but it turned into a drug bust. Perkins Township police say 21-year-old Esteban Ramirez and a child were running from
Erie County police thought they were working a theft case at the Sandusky Walmart, but it turned into a drug bust.
Monday, June 17 2013 11:10 PM EDT2013-06-18 03:10:56 GMT
Around this time every year, millions of little mayflies blanket Lake Erie communities like Port Clinton, Sandusky and parts of Toledo. Despite some water quality issues in the last few years, the mayfly
Around this time every year, millions of little mayflies blanket Lake Erie communities like Port Clinton, Sandusky and parts of Toledo.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:04 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:04:15 GMT
Toledo Police are asking for the public's help finding a man accused of assaulting his pregnant wife. The department posted an image of Angelo Stewart on its Facebook page Monday. Investigators say Stewart
Toledo Police are asking for the public's help finding a man accused of assaulting his pregnant wife.
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