PHOTOS: On Thursday, Eastern Arizona College’s Academic Programs Building collapsed — at least for the purposes of several local law enforcement, fire and rescue, and other emergency services providers.
For the second time this year, EAC was the locus of a multiagency incident drill meant to test the collective mettle of local law enforcement and first responders. The drill occurred from approximately 11 a.m to 1 p.m. beginning at the Academic Programs Building and concluding at Mount Graham Regional Medical Center.
Just after 11 a.m., the aftermath of a structure collapse set the scene on the Thatcher campus. Hallways littered with cardboard boxes, lengths of PVC pipe and other rubble were unlit, with around 40 students sprawled across furniture and the floor. There was intermittent moaning and screams for help.