Detroit Arsenal Conducts Full Scale Exercise

DETROIT ARSENAL, Mi - The Detroit Arsenal operations team conducted a full-scale exercise July 19 at the arsenal that included participation from the City of Warren Police Department and the FBI.

The exercise practiced a real-world scenario to measure the response and recovery from that event. Outside evaluators observed the exercise and reported what processes worked well and where improvements could be made.

“The full scale exercise is a multiagency, multijurisdictional exercise designed to test many facets of emergency response and recovery,” said Joe Mravec Installation Emergency Manager. “The exercise provides exercise participants an opportunity to evaluate current response plans and capabilities and includes command and control coordination, critical decisions, notifications, and the integration of state and federal assets.”

These exercises take months of planning and coordination.  For this exercise, an active shooter scenario targeted the readiness of first responders to end the threat and treat injuries. The Public Affairs Office practiced moving information from the Emergency Operations Center out to the public, media and workforce. The PAO also simulated monitoring social media and fielding requests for information. This culminated in a simulated press conference at the end of the exercise.

“While Covid has certainly changed how we conduct business, the exercise planners did not fall short,” stated Acting Garrison Manager Cherie Westphal.  “They plan different scenarios year after year to help hone our skills and keep us sharp. I cannot say enough good things about our partners, evaluators and coordinators. Good job team!”

At the conclusion of the exercise, the garrison’s operations team will take the findings from the evaluators and participating personnel to define concrete, measurable steps toward improving prevention, protection, response, and recovery capabilities and expand on what worked well.