Members of an emergency escape training team suit up in the bunkers below Launch Pad 39A prior to the start of a simulated evacuation exercise.

At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, members of an emergency escape training team suit up in the bunkers below Launch Pad 39A prior to the start of a simulated evacuation exercise.

For several days, volunteers portraying astronauts, take part in training exercises which allow teams to practice emergency response procedures, including helicopter evacuation to local hospitals. Training normally involves NASA fire rescue personnel, personnel from the Air Force's 920th Rescue Wing, and medical trauma teams from central Florida hospitals, and is required every 18 months to certify Fire Rescue and Closeout Crew personnel. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder