San Juan County emergency leaders kicked off the annual full‑scale emergency drill on Wednesday, Sept. 16, at McGee Park in Aztec. The exercise ran from about 7 a.m. to noon and was designed to give first‑responders a realistic opportunity to practice coordinated action in the event of a major disaster.
Who participated
Police, fire and emergency medical services from across the county took part, joined by the San Juan County Communications Authority, the American Red Cross, the Northwest New Mexico EmComm Group and the National Weather Service Albuquerque Office. Local hospitals also played a key role.
San Juan Regional Medical Center and Exceptional Community Hospital in Farmington each received simulated patients, allowing officials to test both emergency response tactics and hospital surge capacity. Both facilities remained open to the public throughout the drill.
Location and public impact
The drill was staged at McGee Park, near the intersection of U.S. 64 and Road 5500. While the park was closed to the public for the duration of the exercise, Sunray Casino stayed accessible via its main parking lot, and officials assured residents that there would be no impact on daily life.
Why the drill matters
County officials said the annual exercise is a critical tool for maintaining and improving inter‑agency cooperation during a large‑scale emergency. “These drills help us identify gaps, refine our protocols and ensure that every partner – from law enforcement to hospitals – can act swiftly and effectively when real incidents occur,” said a spokesperson for the San Juan County Emergency Management Office.
The emphasis on joint training reflects the county’s commitment to protecting families and upholding the constitutional right to safety. By rehearsing scenarios that could threaten the community, responders are better prepared to safeguard lives, property and the way of life that residents cherish.
Looking ahead
After the exercise, after‑action reviews will be conducted to assess performance, capture lessons learned and adjust response plans as needed. The county plans to continue this tradition of rigorous preparedness, recognizing that a well‑trained, united response team is one of the strongest defenses a community can have.
Residents are encouraged to stay informed about future drills and emergency preparedness resources offered by the county and its partner agencies.
Original reporting: KOAT Albuquerque — read the source article.
