On Monday Belizean and Mexican military emergency response personnel began a week long training exercise. The exercise focuses on improving the ability of both countries to communicate and execute during times of disaster. Over the past 3 days the Mexican and Belizean personnel have been working at getting it down in theory and practicing various drills, this morning it all came together when a simulated disaster was staged at the Philip Goldson International Airport. 7NEWS was there.
Alfonso Noble Reporting, Email - [alfnoble@yahoo.com]
Disaster struck today, at least a simulated one, forcing both Belizean and Mexican emergency management personnel to be mobilized. Within hours of Belize calling for assistance, the Mexican armed forces responded sending this plane with a self-contained detachment to assist the Belizean authorities. Within minutes Mexicans and Belizeans worked hand in hand to unload the plane and set up various command posts.
What Belizeans could not deal with is the collapse of what is supposed to be the Bliss Center where people were trapped inside. Rescue teams were sent in to scout the area.... then the dogs were called.... and then the rescue.... complete with extraction... and medical attention to those extracted from the wreckage. The BDF's Colonel Reuel Black and Colonel Victor Hugo Aguirre of the Mexican Infantry explain that this kind of cooperation is extremely important given that we are geographical neighbors.
Col. Reuel Black, BDF
"The importance of the exercise for the Belizeans to know how the Mexican work and for the Mexicans to know how Belizeans work so in the future in the event of a disaster we will be able to work hand in hand with each other. The other thing is that it enhances our cooperation and it enhances our relationship between Mexico and Belize and it gives us the opportunity to give the people of Belize a high standard of support in the event of a disaster."
Col. Victor Hugo Aguirre, Mexican Infantry
"The importance is the risk that our countries run and this has brought us as a consequence to establish relations so as to respond in cases of emergencies. The most important thing is not the language but the brotherhood that exists between Belize and Mexico. That's the most important aspect."
And that's the underlying symbolism that was the most important part of today's effort. So, now we know that when Belize is in need, the Mexicans will be ready to assist, and today's training will help them help us better.
A similar exercise will take place tomorrow where computer simulations of the same scenario will be employed. The Mexican delegation consists of over 30 military staffers from their army and air force. They leave the country on Saturday.
7NEWS produced for broadcast by News Director Jules Vasquez
Edited and Prepared for the internet by Keith Swift
