Regional leaders help Marines prepare for invasion, disaster

Andrew Brunhart (left), general manager for the South Coast Water District, was among a number of Orange County officials who participated in a disaster training exercise at Camp Pendleton. Photo by Catherine Manso

By Catherine Manso

Andrew Brunhart, general manager for the South Coast Water District, San Clemente Mayor Tim Brown, and other officials from southern Orange County became the first key area authority figures to engage in Marine Core Combat Readiness Evaluation at Camp Pendleton on Feb. 8.

MCCRE is a five-day training exercise where U.S. Marines practice protocol and drills in the event of a crisis. The exercise created a staged event, such as an invasion or catastrophe and had Marines rehearse in real time. The simulation began at 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3 and finished Saturday, Feb. 8, by sunset.

On the last day, Marines helped role-playing citizens return to a safe and functioning environment. The scenario for Saturdays exercise was an invasion; the country of San Diego invaded Pendletonia. Marines had to work and cooperate with local authorities, press and civilians.

Brunhart was among a number of officials from Orange County that participated in the weekend training. While playing the role of Pendletonias city manager, Brunhart made demands and put pressure on the Marines to help decontaminate the mock villages water supply. In a major disaster a similar process would go into effect, where Brunhart would activate the SCWDs emergency operations.

In a real catastrophe there are several top priorities: protecting public health and maintaining water quality standards, also maintaining, restoring and establishing water services, Brunhart said.

Each local official involved had experiences in their careers that contributed in assisting with Saturdays training.

It was a privilege to assist with the training of those that go in harms way, Burhart said. It was heart-warming for me to reinforce what I learned, and it was, as a retired United States Navy Seabee with over 30 years of active service, I was proud to observe the readiness and dedication the United States Marines asserted today.

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Officials Act Out Disaster Scenario in Pendleton Training Exercise