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LBFD Conducts Earthquake Drill
By Jackawa Jackson | November 6, 2008
On the morning of October 30th, LBFD conducted a large scale earthquake drill as part of this months COCEP training. The drill began at 10:00am with a simulated 7.8 earthquake and the implementation of our earthquake policy. Initial command and control functions were carried out from the back of the BC vehicles. Soon after, the DOC (Department Operation Center) was activated upstairs at headquarters. The DOC was staffed by the assistant chiefs and personnel from headquarters. multiple companies, in the large classroom at headquarters, acted as role players in a green-cell exercise. The room was divided up and each of the three tables represented a fire district. Role-players delivered a constant stream of realistic updates to the DOC and the BC’s concerning situations that may be encountered in an earthquake of this magnitude.
This drill was an excellent learning experience for all those involved. It was concluded by allowing members to comment on things that went well and things that they would change. One point that was emphasized by all of the BC’s involved was the need for an aid in these situations. Initially, there will be a large volume of radio traffic concerning emergencies encountered and an effective way to maintain track of units and developing conditions is to have one person listening and one writing.
At the end, it was agreed that the drill was a huge success. Although we all hope never to have to put the earthquake policy into action on a real incident, the day may come when we may. As the saying goes, “Hope for the best but prepare for the worst.”
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