[February 29, 2012] Responders train with mock incidents Tweet CLAREMORE, Feb 29, 2012 (Claremore Daily Progress - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Tuesday was test day for Rogers County Emergency Management. Although just a statewide practice test, responders participated in the "Earth, Wind, Fire" exercise. Director of Rogers County Emergency Management Bob Anderson coordinated efforts with local agencies in a scenario set up to mimic a possible real-life catastrophe. The concept is to be prepared for any emergency situation and to test communication skills, according to Anderson. At approximately 9 a.m. the Rogers County Emergency Operations Center received notification that the Rogers County Sheriff's Department required 100 law enforcement personnel to be equipped with self-sustaining teams. "This is a good exercise to show we are prepared if a disaster was to occur in Rogers County," Commissioner Dan Delozier said. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security developed the exercise. This was the beginning of the daylong exercise that would include severe flooding, storm damage and other related incidents. Little by little, information was filtered in just as it would be in a real-life situation. Anderson, with the assistance of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, local fire departments, Rogers County Commissioners and E911 Coordinator, Janet Hamilton, made the appropriate plans to respond to the scenario. The American Red Cross and other agencies were included in the scenario and temporary shelters were part of the planning. As part of a plan to test communication and coordinated response systems the team would receive a call for help and delegate resources or manpower for assistance. Part of the response included a check list of items that would need to be addressed including a staging area, equipment, utilities, medical and shelter. Everything from cots, saws, mobile phones, fuel and wheel chair accessible vans became a part of the exercise. The exercise builds as the day continues and is comprehensive as the storm moves across the state. For example Rogers County had storm debris blowing in the area from Tulsa County. Each item is made to be as realistic as possible to provide officials an opportunity to plan a response accordingly. ___ (c)2012 the Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Okla.) Visit the Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Okla.) at claremoreprogress.com Distributed by MCT Information Services [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]