Fire departments part of multi-state exercise
JANESVILLE — Several southeastern Wisconsin fire departments, including Janesville and Beloit, will participate in a large scale, multi-state exercise in Chicago this week to test the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System known as MABAS.
Today’s exercise will test responses to the scenario of a major tornado striking Chicago. Fire departments from Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan will provide support under MABAS. More than 350 fire units and 1,110 firefighters will participate in the exercise at three staging locations around Chicago.
An engine crew of four plus a shift commander and ladder truck from the Janesville Fire Department will participate, said Bill Ruchti, shift commander.
Most of Janesville’s expense for participating will be offset by a reimbursement from MABAS, Ruchti said.
Representatives from the Beloit’s Fire Department also will participate in the exercise.
Wisconsin will be sending fire task forces from Rock, Racine, Milwaukee and Kenosha counties beginning at 8:30 a.m. The goal is to have all units and personnel in the staging locations within 90 minutes of activation.
MABAS is a fire service multi-state mutual aid system that operates under a single mutual aid contract at no cost to member communities and agencies. MABAS is the single largest mutual aid system in the country with four core states—Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan—and four associate states—Missouri, Ohio, Iowa and Minnesota—as members.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the International Association of Fire Chiefs sponsor the exercise.
related STORIES
- Janesville fire being investigated
By GAZETTE STAFF 11/03/11
- Janesville chicken coop destroyed ...
By GAZETTE STAFF 07/01/11
Aug 27, 2010 at 10:32 a.m.
Suggest removal
I'm sure they use the "tornado drill" as a blanket term that will test the response times and capabilities for any type of incident. I don't think you need to build a conspiracy out of it. We can assume that it is also being looked at for preparation in the event of a terrorist attack. Would you have felt better if they just said it that way?
Aug 27, 2010 at 9:55 a.m.
Suggest removal
All this for a tornado drill? Something tells me there is more to this story.
Aug 26, 2010 at 5:14 p.m.
Suggest removal
This is a good thing to see.
MABAS stands for Mutual Aid Box Alarm System. MABAS started as mutual aid agreements in the suburbs of Chicago back in the 70's and has grown to this level. It works both ways, if a major disaster were to happen here, we can count on the same level of response.
Gone are the old days where the next town over wouldn't help you because they were full time paid, and you were all volunteer ( or vice versa ). The system works because all towns have pre- specified what equipment they want when. All the incident commander need to do is request a MABAS alarm, and the dispatch center does the rest.
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.