Rescue Crews Respond To Mock Tornado On South Side
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A massive "mock" disaster on the South Side on Tuesday is testing the training of first responders.
Simulated damage to buildings, cars and homes is just part of a mass-casualty drill being conducted by the Chicago Fire Department on 57th Street near Normal.
The drill was set up in real time to look like a tornado devastated the Englewood neighborhood. Two row house and parking garages were partially collapsed.
Victims, over 100 in all, were sprawled across the lawn, inside buildings and even hanging from a tree.
The emergency crews didn't know what they're dealing with until the arrived on the scene--the buildings could collapse at any moment.
Crews also have to watch out for power lines and sudden changes in weather.
It is the largest drill in the history of the Chicago Fire Department, designed to test the ability of first responders to assess the situation on the ground and determine what help they need to treat the victims.
Officials said drill had been in planned for a while and has nothing to do with a recent bombing in Boston.
The drill will test the City of Chicago and suburbs collaboration on if a tornado would ever hit the city.
