Local Troops Undergo Disaster Preparedness Training
By: Import User
Updated: February 5, 2007
Hurricane season is underway and the National Guard is already preparing. Saturday members of the 108-3rd Transportation Company, were at the State Fairgrounds undergoing special training.
"We`re out here training the Nat`l Guard to learn how to drive a bus in case of an emergency." said SporTran Trainer/Instructor Bennie Abercrombie.
Instructors from SporTran showed the soldiers how to drive city buses in case they are needed during a hurricane evacuation. The group normally drives 18-wheelers.
"One of the most important things is the handling of the vehicle. It`s different driving a 40 ft or 35 ft bus than it is an 18-wheeler." said Abercrombie.
The skills will come in handy if disaster strikes again.
"We`re training to in case any other catastrophe happens like Hurricane Katrina. We`re out here learning to drive buses so we can move evacuees back and forth." said Specialist Dandreas Clark.
Last year hundreds of people waited out Katrina because they had no means of transportation.
