Emergency preparedness is no mean feat
By Chuck Wullenjohn
All military installations throughout the United States, large or small, are concerned with the proper management of emergencies. Emergencies can take many forms, from natural disasters, such as storms and wildfires, to acts of terrorism, such as an active shooter. While emergency plans do not avert or eliminate threats, proper emergency planning reduces vulnerability, improves response and decreases the effect of the incident. It can save lives and prevent injuries.
U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, has been active for many years in emergency management planning, especially so since the dawn of our new century when terrorism became a more imminent threat.
The Directorate of Plans, Training and Mobilizations (DPTMS) operates an emergency operations center (EOC) that serves as the central heart of any emergency response at the proving ground, especially if the emergency was to extend into days or weeks. When called into activation, key staff meet at the center to manage event response activities, gather information and provide senior leadership with the most current and accurate recommendations possible. EOC personnel, while not on the ground at the incident site, maintain up-to-date situational awareness and operate closely with outside agencies whenever necessary.
"It was what happened on 9-11 that pushed and accelerated federal and state agencies to improve emergency response and create more robust emergency operations centers," said recently retired DPTMS operations officer Gordon Wiborg. "Though we have a fairly small EOC at YPG, our electronic communications, monitoring and communications capabilities rival many of the larger installation EOCs I have seen."
A six year YPG veteran and a chemical weapons treaty compliance officer for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency before that, Robert Barocio is the proving ground's current Chief of
Operations and Emergency Manager. He says YPG's EOC contains dozens of permanent computers, multiple telephone lines, audio-visual equipment and more.
When the EOC is activated in response to an emergency, a variety of staffers representing mission essential functions and senior leaders descend on the center and report to designated work stations. All computers are linked through a commercially-available computer software program that allows everyone to share information and develop a common operating picture.
"In essence, this program is a virtual emergency operations center that acts as a portal in everyone's computer that allows us to share maps, data, memos, news releases, and excel spread sheets," said Barocio. "It gives us the means to create and share information to ensure all EOC personnel share the same operating picture."
The EOC gathers people of numerous disciplines and skill areas into one room and enables them to work collaboratively to make decisions together.
There have been numerous EOC exercises in recent years, as recently as this past January, in which realistic emergency situations require EOC activation and response. Scenarios have included wildfires, electrical power outages, active shooter situations, and more. The purpose of this training was to ensure everyone knows what to do to ensure the multitude of responsibilities that would be required in an emergency are considered, planned for and properly executed. Personnel accountability and robust communications are response are of absolute importance.
There have also been several "real world" emergencies over the years in which suspicious packages and flood situations caused EOC activation.
The 2400-strong Yuma Proving Ground workforce has been offered the opportunity to participate in the "AtHOC Mass Notification System" that alerts workers to an emergency via cell phone or personal home telephone line, as each individual chooses.
"We plug a message into the system and send it to any group of employees or proving ground residents, as appropriate," he explained. "It can be sent to one office or everyone. Personnel at YPG are the proving ground's number one asset, so communicating accurate, timely information that allows them to act is a priority."
Through the many training exercises that have occurred, Barocio feels YPG's response capabilities have significantly improved. "People have become more aware of what to expect, but, at the same time, workers in the EOC have learned that many times it's the unexpected that gets you."
He says EOC responders need to always look forward and plan hours-and-hours beyond what they're doing at the time. "Sometimes it's necessary to slow down a little and act methodically," he said. "This comes about through taking part in training and exercises."
Working closely with outside agencies is particularly important for the proving ground in emergency situations, for the proving ground does not have complete capability to handle everything that can occur during all emergencies, especially is they are large or catastrophic. "We work hand-in-hand with the Yuma County Emergency Management Office, as well as the Yuma County Sheriff's Office and others," said Barocio. "We strive to have a good relationship with all of them. YPG also boasts a strong proactive relationship with local media."
Emergency exercises at Yuma Proving Ground generally occur a minimum of three times each year, some being full scale exercises with role players and actual responders, with others being tabletop exercises where situations are simulated. One full scale exercise each year makes use of outside controllers from other military installations who provide feedback.
"During an emergency, the EOC provides a common operating picture to key YPG staffers for the purpose of providing the YPG commander with the best, most accurate and clearest information in order to make decisions," said Barocio. "Whatever the problem is, EOC personnel help solve it."
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