MANSFIELD — The Richland County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) conducted a “tabletop exercise” Tuesday in Mansfield.
The group hosted area agencies to evaluate and improve response to a hazardous material incident by participating agencies within the county. EMA Deputy Director Rick Evans said the event was designed to test emergency procedures to see if the plan matches how the teams function.
The simulated emergency exercise is one method of improving responses to emergencies faced by multiple agencies. The EMA says it hopes one result will be “protecting people, property, and the environment.”
A “tabletop exercise” allows emergency management personnel from multiple agencies to discuss simulated, but plausible, emergency scenarios. The activity occurs in an informal environment that encourages discussion among the participants.
Local law enforcement, fire, EMS, EMA, amateur radio operators, area hospitals, Richland County 211, public information officers (P.I.O’s), and elected officials were among the representatives at the exercise.
These representatives discussed actions they would take in the event of a large, uncontained gasoline spill at the 1st Choice Energy Services facility in Bellville. The facility is in close proximity to a residential neighborhood.
The agencies noted such an industrial accident would require ambulance, Hazardous Materials, and law enforcement agencies. Evacuation plans were discussed along with other public safety issues.
Representatives said public information would be released through public information officers and amateur radio.
The agencies went through the scenario just as they would on the scene of an actual emergency. As EMA representative Michelle Sowers facilitated the discussion, the agencies discussed their operation procedures and asked questions. Parameters, such as weather conditions, are provided in the scenario to improve realism.
One goal of a tabletop exercise is improving emergency plans, including coordination among the agencies. Those at the policy level evaluate plans and procedures, considering any recommendations they may have.
Emergency services iron out the role each agency needs to take by talking through the simulation. This provides a better understanding of the roles and responsibilities of each agency.
The simulation can identify strengths and problem areas in emergency action plans by having representatives from all the agencies discussing the scenarios beforehand.
Evans said another advantage of a tabletop exercise is the “face to face” nature of the exercise. Some note that this type of exercise has minimal costs compared to on-scene exercises. The forum allows time to work through variables the agencies might encounter while they evaluate possible responses.
On the downside, a tabletop exercise is not a true test of operational capability due to a lack of realism. That is when “functional drills” or a “full scale” exercise involving participating agencies walking through their normal procedures is used.
This tabletop exercise was evaluated by EMA representatives from Ashland, Holmes and Morrow County. Evans said the Richland County EMA is required to complete 15 objectives over a four-year period.
The exercise enabled the EMA to complete three of those objectives, he said.
