Oklahoma Homeland Security conducting an operational readiness exercise

The Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security is conducting an operational readiness exercise November 5-7 in Edmond, Oklahoma.

The purpose of the exercise is to bring together multiple agencies to simulate a real-world emergency, ensuring first responders are ready in the event of a similar scenario.

The Oklahoma Incident Management Assistance Team (OK-IMAT) was also activated for the exercise. OK-IMAT is a specialized group that provides expert support to help with all-hazards incidents, from preparation to recovery.

They are trained to respond to a wide variety of incidents, including major emergencies, natural disasters, planned events, and other complex incidents.

One of the  scenarios for the operational readiness exercise is a structural collapse.

According to the scenario:  Two days ago, a freight train carrying industrial chemicals derailed near an urban district. A 4-story mixed-use structure (retail on bottom, residential above) was damaged in the incident. Families are being allowed back in briefly to retrieve personal belongings.

During this process, the building suffers a partial collapse, trapping and injuring multiple civilians inside.