Drills set for Saturday | Don’t be confused during emergency scenarios April 26

Reminder: There will be a flurry of emergency responder activity in and around Gladewater Saturday – it’s only a drill.
The weekend exercise is a joint effort between multiple agencies, spearheaded by Gladewater Fire Department and the Gregg County Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol.
In two search-and-rescue scenarios, local first responders and other personnel will respond to reports of a downed aircraft in range of Gladewater Municipal Airport and a lost boat on the Sabine River.
It’s a full-scale disaster drill aimed at testing local preparedness and procedures for similar situations. The effort will involve scores of participants, including youth members of the CAP.
A portion of the activity will center on Lake Gladewater Park as a staging area while “rescue” efforts are underway elsewhere. There will likely be increased air traffic, too, as pilots are brought in for aerial reconnaissance to find the downed aircraft.
Importantly, the drills are not intended for a public audience. Beyond the fire department’s ‘Bucket Brigade’ volunteers, the various components will not involve residents, as in an actual emergency situation.