CJPS Trial Runs the EOC with Expert Help!

Running an emergency operations center is NOT an easy task. In fact, it takes significant training and practice. With the training and certifications under their belts, construction almost complete, and several mini-dry runs, it was time for our first large-scale trial run! Fortunately, we have many experts available to help us and had the privilege to bring in Lieutenant Sean Delaney of the Water Witch Hose Company of New Milford. Lt. Delaney is an Incident Command System and National Incident Management System expert and was able to bring his real-world experience to our classroom with a breakdown of the 2018 Macroburst that produced a number of devastating tornadoes across the State. Afterwards, students were divided into organizations such as police, fire, EMS, city, and utilities and then further divided into job functions. The student-led command staff had to develop appropriate objectives for the operational period and the teams had to work to meet the objectives as creatively as possible. The students had multiple briefings and used all of the resources available to them. The trial run was so successful, that the students had a flurry of ideas on how to improve our own operation and it was evident to the instructors that the Vinal Tech Emergency Operations Center is going to produce some impressive results and become a real asset to the Nation in times of need.