Disaster Drill At Harper Tests Mettle of First Responders

At first glance the scene was horrifically gruesome.

Bodies, arms and legs akimbo, strewn about the grassy knolls of Harper College in Palatine. Bloody wounds with protruding glass, burns and punctures, greeted those who arrived first on the scene.

The mock disaster based on a plane crash caused by severe-thunderstorm coupled with a tornado, was meant to test the preparedness and response of area fire and police departments.

Billed as one of the largest disaster scenarios, nearly two dozen fire departments and fire protection districts, as well as police and emergency response agencies, were called to the scene. A total of about 200 emergency personnel participated in the drill, from departments as far away as Winnetka and Northbrook.

The 100 plus volunteers from Hands On Suburban Chicago, a nonprofit agency in Arlington Heights, sported all manner of injuries artfully applied to look real and provide a medical challenge to triage.

The exercise took the afternoon to complete and utilized the entire campus. Students and teachers weren't interrupted as classes start later this month.