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Grand Canyon emergency services to conduct training exercise

Grand Canyon, Ariz. - In cooperation with the National Park Service, the 563 Rescue Group at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, will conduct a training exercise in Grand Canyon National Park and at Grand Canyon National Park Airport in Tusayan on April 13.

Members of the local emergency services will work closely with the US Air Force Rescue agencies to practice for a simulated mass casualty incident. By training together, these exercises better prepare search and rescue personnel from the Federal Government, states and local communities, and can be critical in saving lives. Visitors may see vehicles in the park and aircraft at the airport. Vehicles from both local and Air Force emergency services will be operating in the vicinity of Yaki Point, along Desert View Drive/Highway 64, as part of this exercise - there will be no aircraft associated with this exercise operating in the park. The Park Service is closing Yaki Point from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m during the exercise. This temporary closure will not affect shuttle service to the South Kaibab Trailhead, but will suspend shuttle service and public access to Yaki Point.

Brandon Torres, Branch Chief for Emergency Services, is the contact for any exercise component within Grand Canyon National Park. More questions and information is available by contacting Torres at (928) 638-7792, Public Affairs Officer Maureen Oltrogge at (928) 638-7779, First Lieutenant Sarah D.A. Godfrey or Major Sarah Schwennesen at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base at (757) 764-5007.


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