|
By ELLEN MORTENSEN
Chief Managing Editor
‘The National Weather Service issues an ice storm warning for the eastern counties within the North Central region of Nebraska, followed by a blizzard warning for all the counties in the region. Local media stations encourage residents to purchase life-saving equipment for their homes, offices and cars. Residents rush to local grocery and hardware stores to purchase bottled water, toilet paper, batteries, blankets, flashlights, shovels and salt. Many stores begin running low on these basic items.’
No, this is not your local weather forecast. This was the scenario used in a winter storm tabletop exercise in Halsey this past weekend, hosted by the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
Around 70 participants from all across north central Nebraska met at the 4-H Lodge at the Halsey National Forest Saturday. The purpose of the exercise was to provide participants an opportunity to evaluate current response concepts and plans, as well as identify the region’s capabilities and gaps when responding to an event in the region. The exercise focused primarily on communications, emergency operations center management and mass care, among other issues.
Emergency managers, fire and rescue personnel, law enforcement, public health and city officials were some of the groups represented at the exercise. The north central region encompasses 22 counties in Nebraska. All came together with the objective of improving understanding of a response concept, identifying opportunities or problems, and achieving a change in attitude in their communities.
Custer County, and the city of Broken Bow in particular, was well represented at the event. Attending were Emergency Manager Troy Smith, KCNI News Director Darrin Nutt, Rick Larson, Andy Holland and Cory Clay with the Broken Bow Fire and Rescue Department, Broken Bow Mayor “Mac” McMeen, Custer County Communications Director Melissa Parliament, chairman of the Custer County Board of Supervisors Don Olson, “Bud” Clark with the city of Broken Bow, Nebraska State Patrol Sergeant Bob Rose and Ellen Mortensen with the Custer County Chief.
The scenario was divided into four parts, or modules, for the exercise. For each module the participants at each table discussed the scenario and what the proper responses might be. Each module progressed in intensity, as the mock winter storm made its way through the region.
Module one began with a winter storm being forecast for the area, and the individuals discussed how to prepare for that. Module two focused on the mid-day arrival of the storm, closing state, county and village agencies and schools early.
In Module three the storm produced power outages, fires, school closures, water main breaks, disrupted rail and air services, falling ice and road closures. And finally, Module four dealt with a winter storm and icy conditions which persisted for 72 hours, and how to deal with such issues as long-term disruptions in power, transportation, food, water and dead/injured cattle.
The exercise ran from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m., with members of each group sharing their ideas with the others after each module. The Custer County group felt fairly confident in the plans that have already been established for such weather emergencies, but also realized there is work yet to be done. Life in central Nebraska has taught us how quickly and drastically the weather can change, and the importance of being prepared for those changes. |
Huskers.com
