KSC-2009-5281

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –At the slidewire basket area at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A, a Mode II-IV exercise is under way that allows teams to practice an emergency response, including helicopter evacuation to local hospitals. The exercise involves NASA fire rescue personnel, volunteers portraying astronauts with simulated injuries, helicopters and personnel from the Air Force’s 920th Rescue Wing and medical trauma teams at three central Florida hospitals. The Space Shuttle Program and U.S. Air Force are conducting the emergency simulation. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller