Today’s
blog comes from Sandra Espinoza, the South Region Field Coordinator for the
Department of Emergency and Military Affairs. Her area of responsibility
includes the three international border counties of Yuma, Santa Cruz and
Cochise as well as Graham and Greenlee. Ms. Espinoza works to enhance
collaboration with primary stakeholders to include local, county, federal and
tribal partners. During emergencies and disasters
Ms. Espinoza operates as the
State Liaison Officer facilitating coordinated response and recovery
operations.
Ms.
Espinoza’s Emergency Management experience spans over a decade in various
capacities and jurisdictional levels. She most recently served Interim
Emergency Management Administrator for the Tohono O’odham Nation where she was
responsible for all administrative and management functions.
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| Victims during exercise Photo by: Pima County |
What if I told you there was an Improvised Explosive
Devise (IED) that detonated in downtown Tucson?
You’d most likely feel a tug of the heart, a sinking feeling in your stomach
and anxiety, followed by an unquenchable desire to know what happened. Your mind would go reeling. For first responders it’s no different. The difference is their unraveled commitment
to excellence. They train day in and day
out to be at the ready, regardless of the call.
It’s demonstrated in their physical fitness, physiological maturity, and
continued drive to improve.
On May 4 in Pima County, the tireless efforts of planning
to test the elite came to fruition during a full scale exercise. A full scale exercise simulates a plausible
scenario created in an operational environment and is designed to call upon
personnel that would normally respond to such an event/incident. It allows those participating to validate
plans and procedures, clarifying roles and responsibilities, measure
performance objectives and coordinate with other teams, organizations and
jurisdictions.
From a hazardous materials incident staged in the Town of
Sahuarita to a terrorist incident in the Town of Marana, first responders
proved to be at the ready. Multiple
jurisdictions, hospitals, educational institutions, businesses, agencies,
non-governmental organizations and members of the community joined to test our
readiness.
For some, it was an opportunity to grasp a greater
understanding of what first responders do as they simulated responding to an
injured victim. The players put their teams, plans and
protocols to the test. Evaluators at
various locations were tasked to observe and document performance. Controllers managed the exercise play at each
site while ensuring the safety of everyone involved. Needless to say, it was all pulled together
with support staff that performed administrative and logistical support tasks
during the exercise.
I had the opportunity of being stationed at the Pima
County Emergency Operations Center (PCEOC). The Pima County Emergency Operation
Plan describes the PCEOC as “the primary hub for [Pima] County’s incident
management, operational coordination and situational awareness in county-wide
disasters or emergencies.”
For this simulated activation, I had a “bird’s eye view”
of the entire exercise. Upon arrival at
the PCEOC, I checked in with the EOC Manager and made my way to an available
work station. The PCEOC is a state-of-the art facility with more than 60 work
stations and several breakout rooms. Staff
called upon to support EOC activities are enabled with the tools and resources
required for optimal situational awareness.
I sat at my station mentally reviewing what was happening
where, current and possible impacts, where are the shortfalls, and most
importantly how can I contribute to the resolve. Utilizing WebEOC, I was able to monitor
events occurring at the various venue locations. Personnel assigned to an EOC traditionally
utilize checklists which serve as a guide and reminder of action items to be
taken in support of the event. In
utilizing my checklist, I am always mindful of “checking the box”. Do what you do meaningfully and be conscious that
your actions or in-actions have an impact.
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| Town of Marana airport briefing. Photo by: Town of Marana |
After the exercise those involved at the various venues
conducted a “hot wash”. A hot wash is
held to review the events of the day, highlight what went well, and discuss
what were the areas of opportunity to improve.
This information is then gathered by the Exercise Director and compiled
to publish an After Action Report (AAR).
The AAR highlights observations of the exercise and documents
recommendations for areas of improvements.
The simulated “bad day” in Pima County was filled with
opportunity to hone skills and continue to strive for a better tomorrow.
Today is an opportunity for you to look internally and
answer the question “Are you Ready”?
Make a plan; get a Kit, stay informed and be ready Arizona. Someone is counting on you.
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