Emergency crews prepare for potential disaster

MIAMI (WSVN) -- Emergency crews prepared for the worst Sunday while they received life-saving lessons.

Firefighters, police and emergency personnel seemed to take over Miami Sunday morning, but there was no need to be alarmed. It was only a drill with a purpose. "It's to make sure the efforts involved in fighting a high-rise fire are refined. In point, there's the less chance of people being injured or killed."

The Southeast Financial Center was picked as the training site for a reason. It's South Florida's largest and tallest office tower. The drill on Sunday was to respond to a fire on the 54th floor. "We have heavy smoke and fire," said Curtis Massey. "A mock fire on the 54th floor. We have victims, both dummies and live, walking wounded."

Fire responders from all over Miami-Dade County participated in disaster training throughout the weekend for three days of drills. "We try to do large drills like this at least once a year." said Deputy Chief Freddy Fernandez. "Sometimes we do mass casualty drills, and that is similar to this."

"I kinda figured they were doing a drill," said a woman in the area. "I think it's good to be prepared."

"I think it's very important," said another person. "They should probably do this more frequently."

The training also allowed a 21st century upgrade: Testing a mobile app which one day will potentially help coordinate a large scale response.

"It stays at the command post," said Massey. "When the chief goes to that screen, it'll walk him through everything they need to know in a matter of seconds."

The training is now complete. They called it a very successful few days.

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