In the final of three field training events during

In the final of three field training events during the two-week disaster preparedness and humanitarian exercise in El Salvador called FA-HUM, a passenger plane “crashed” upon landing at the airport May 14. Observers from several agencies including El Salvador’s Civil Protection and military were on hand to record responses about the simulation and the news was good. El Salvadoran authorities had strong command and control and most things went according to procedures, according to the director general of Civil Protection, Jorge Melendez. “We’ve always had plane accident protocols in place,” Melendez said. “But this is the first time practicing through phase three. We’ll always have lessons learned, always details to improve, but this was effective.” All nations from Central America participated in FA-HUM, a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored exercise, as well as several from South and North America. Through this exercise, participating nations have become familiar with each other’s policies and are better prepared to confront natural and man-made disasters.