Oxford County
Emergency Management Agency

PO Box 179, 26 Western Avenue
South Paris ME 04281
Ph 207-743-6336 FAX 207-743-7346 oxctyema@megalink.net
Office hours: Monday through Friday 8am-4pm

Download Exercise and Drill Timeline January-June 2008 pdf

Download Exercise and Drill Timeline July-December 2008 pdf

Exercise Schedule

•     Table Top 20 October 2007

•     Command Post/Functional 3 May 2008

•     Full Scale 11 October 2008

Western Maine Regional Exercise

20 October 2007 Tabletop

After Action Review

Download AAR doc

Lessons Learned:

 ·        Each agency was able to see the capabilities of each other. All learned what the other would be able to bring to the table in the event of a large incident such as the one played out in the scenario.

·        The scenario would weigh more on the Law Enforcement side, with fire departments in support of their operations.

·        NIMS and ICS training was evident among members of the group, command structure was followed as well as NIMS terminology with no one in the group not understanding.

·        Playing out the scenario in real time will most likely be easier than with the time constraints of the Tabletop.

·        Groups that normally do not work side by side during a large incident were able to learn what the other would do during an incident.

·        Members may want to add phone numbers from other organizations into their cell phones for a more direct access to resources.

·        There needs to be a better way for hospitals to communicate together as opposed to single phone calls.

·        The scenario showed how quickly resources would become overwhelmed in an incident, and that is where more resources would need to be brought in from further away.

·        It is important to assess the hazards well for a timely response and to get the right resources into your area when you need them.

·        A checklist could be created for an event like this so in the business of an incident smaller things would not be overlooked.

·        There were a total of 43 different organizations brought together in one room, and it was a great opportunity to collaborate and bring them all together as part of a team.

·        The interaction among players was good, and the freedom of movement allowed collaboration between tables.

·        The build up of two unified commands, one on each side of the incident, was very appropriate for the scenario and with the incident command structure.

·        Weather conditions play an important role in a hazardous materials incident as the location of IC or staging would have to be relocated if the winds change.

·        Communication channels between different agencies were well thought out for as many different organizations that would be involved.

·        The team work between all organizations to work toward one goal was excellent and showed how there would be mutual support in any incident.

·        Need to set up channels and frequencies early on for communication

·        Hospitals need to be notified early on, and they should be notified together

·        Development of universal MCI Plans in county could help put all EMS groups on the same page

·        Communication between the hospitals need to be worked on

·        Speed up Tabletop pace so all groups get exercised fully

·        Practice wrap-up and mitigation plans for incident, after incident paperwork

·        Discuss casualties leaving the scene – emotional and mental health issues

·        Early deployment of DST and DEP to scene

 Areas of Improvement:

Demonstrate the ability to establish the ICS, locate, and identify a Unified and Area command post, Incident Commander, Safety and Decon Officers

Flushing out who will perform all the duties necessary to run a large scale event is difficult. Someone has to have the responsibility to make sure all key positions are filled for the first operational period and follow on operational periods.  Having a chart that depicts all the positions and a job aide book for each of these positions is a must.  Something we can fix for next phase of the exercise.

 Demonstrate that the Area Command is adequately staffed to handle a large multi-county incident.

This objective was not addressed during this table top.  If we had two large unified commands in the field operating us would most like have to set an Area Command up.  This is a goal I would like to see addressed during the next phase of the exercise.  We might want to ask Auburn Fire Department to take on this function.  They have the personnel and experience.

Demonstrate communications between the 5 hospitals and the Unified Command and Area Command.

Communications between the hospitals was discussed, but not the communications between the hospitals and Incident Command.  If the Tri County EMS net goes in this might not be such a large problem.  In the mean time I feel we should use ARES as the back up to phone and ambulances approaching the hospitals with patients.  If each hospital has the CONOPS frequencies in there base stations we might be able to get by until the Tri County EMS repeater frequency is up and running.  We will be using radios during the next phase of the exercise program so please review what you have in your base stations and your hospitals capabilities.

 Coordinate between emergency services and hospitals for patient loads, trauma care and decontamination capabilities.

This will be addressed during the next phase of the exercise plan in May.

Provide for the control of a massive self evacuation from the property.

Simulate conducting an evacuation of down wind areas as required by release of any dangerous products.

Establish time frame and resources for such an evacuation.

During the next exercise phase we are hoping to put into play each ambulance service MCI plan and each hospital MCI plan and several hospitals Hazwhopper plan.

Demonstrate the ability to communicate with local businesses during a hazmat event.

A plan to notify nearby businesses was not developed.  This should be a part of the local Emergency Operations Plan. 

·        Need to set up channels and frequencies early on for communication

·        Hospitals need to be notified early on, and they should be notified together

·        Development of universal MCI Plans in county could help put all EMS groups on the same page

·        Communication between the hospitals need to be worked on

·        Speed up Tabletop pace so all groups get exercised fully

·        Practice wrap-up and mitigation plans for incident, after incident paperwork

·        Discuss casualties leaving the scene – emotional and mental health issues

·        Early deployment of DST and DEP to scene

Areas for Functional:

·        Setting up complete Unified Commands with vehicle and radios and support staff.

·        Importance of patient Decon – What’s the minimum?

·        Setting up communications

·        Fire & EMS in actuality first on scene, not police

·        Dispatch use response levels to stop delay

·        Designate PIO

·        Exercise DST, RRT & Cobra Team

·        Paperwork and Logistics

·        Exercising how personnel would be moved

·        Evacuation Plan

 Additional Training Needed:

·        Work on MCI Plans

·        MCI Training

·        Incident Command Training

·        NIMS Training

·        Review of Evacuation Plans

·        Communications

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Copyright © 2007 Oxford County Emergency Management Agency
Last modified: 04/29/08