Ward County, 5th CES participate in “Cold Shower” Published Dec. 18, 2008 By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Stratton Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Ward County emergency response agencies and the 5th Civil Engineer Squadron participated in a Team Minot tabletop exercise called, "Cold Shower" at the 1st District Health Unit in Minot, N.D. here Dec. 5. "Exercises like these help solidify our relationship with the downtown emergency responders and put a face to a name," said Master Sgt. Phillip Pugh, 5th CES readiness and emergency management superintendent. Sergeant Pugh added that having exercises like "Cold Shower," a simulated terrorist attack on the Dakota Square Mall, helps smooth out operations. According to many senior Air Force leaders, smooth operations are exactly what Team Minot is known for. The relationship between base and downtown agencies here is a partnership coveted Air Force wide. "We are the land that time forgot sometimes," said Greg Thomas, 5th Mission Support Group deputy commander. "These tabletops are important for strengthening the relationship between us and the folk's downtown." Having such a close bond is important for smooth operations when lives are on the line and the community's security is at risk. The exercise begins with simulated terrorist attacks to major shopping centers, such as malls, during the holiday season. For instance in a simulated scenario, as the sun sets on Boston, an explosion occurs in a shopping mall during the last shopping Saturday prior to Christmas. Two are dead and 16 injured. This happens in four more city malls across the country right as the sun is setting until they "hit Minot." The scenario reads: "Many people are doing their last-minute holiday shopping at the Dakota Square Mall. The place is absolutely packed with holiday shoppers. As the dinner hour approaches, a simulated terrorist attack initiates immediate turmoil throughout the mall. Several small fires have also begun to burn in the building near the attack site." The scenario continues with the weather conditions: "The weather has turned from unseasonably warm in the last week to uncharacteristically cold. Current conditions are as follows: a temperature of 13 below zero, winds of 7 to 10 mph out of the Northwest, a wind chill of 33 below with clear skies. "The 9-1-1 call center is inundated with phone calls as citizens call in to report the explosion. Additionally, calls for assistance are made via radio to dispatch by mall security and Minot Police Department units that were nearby at the time of the blast and who have arrived on scene. The Minot Fire Department, Minot PD and Community Ambulance Service are dispatched to the Dakota Square Mall Food Court entrance." With conditions well below zero and the need to keep the wounded clean, one can plainly see, a "Cold Shower" is just what the emergency responders and victims of the blast would receive. Those in attendance at the table-top worked out how the situation would best be handled. Members of the 5th CES voiced their position on how the base would be able to assist the downtown folks with the disaster. The base emergency operations center would determine what resources would be available to assist the community. All-in-all, the group came together, as Team Minot always has, and put together an outstanding plan that would indisputably save lives. "The most important aspect of these exercises is for the participants to have fun with fellow community members," Reynolds said. "We accomplished a lot in a day and I have full confidence in every member of this great team they will get the job done flawlessly."