Corps' West Coast emergency response teams hold disaster-preparedness exercise

By Mr. Chris Graygarcia (USACE)November 6, 2009

Corps emergency response teams train near Sacramento for disaster preparedness
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – BLACK BUTTE LAKE, Calif. (Nov. 6, 2009) - An operational Corps deployable tactical operations center vehicle, or DTOC, awaits Corps emergency responders here Nov. 4, as part of a disaster preparedness exercise. With fax, phone, internet, GPS, copiers... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Corps emergency response teams train near Sacramento for disaster preparedness
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – BLACK BUTTE LAKE, Calif. (Nov. 6, 2009) - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Portland District deployable tactical operations center (DTOC) team members dissemble satellite equipment Nov. 4 here as part of a disaster readiness exercise. DTOCs serve as a de... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Corps emergency response teams train near Sacramento for disaster preparedness
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – BLACK BUTTE LAKE, Calif. (Nov. 6, 2009) - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Portland District deployable tactical operations center (DTOC) team members dissemble satellite equipment Nov. 4 here as part of a disaster readiness exercise. DTOCs serve as a de... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

BLACK BUTTE LAKE, Calif. -- The earthquake struck, and within hours the first U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District emergency response team was on the scene.

Their preliminary setup complete, information technology specialist Robert Lucero received a critical task: bridge two emergency tactical operations center vehicles with a wireless data connection - now.

Good thing it was only a drill.

Emergency response teams from the Corps' Sacramento, Los Angeles and Portland districts were assembled at the Sacramento District's Black Butte Lake for a readiness exercise Nov. 3 - 5. The exercise was moderated by leaders from the Mobile, Ala., headquarters of the Corps' National Deployable Tactical Operations System, or DTOS.

As part of its disaster response capability, the Corps maintains mobile communications centers called deployable tactical operations centers, or DTOCs. DTOCs serve as a deployed Corps emergency response team's nerve centers. Generator powered, satellite connected, a DTOC allows a Corps team to operate from nearly anywhere.

The Corps' DTOS has 18 mobile communications vehicles stationed throughout the country. The Sacramento District is one of two Corps districts with a full DTOC; including three mobile communications vehicles, two generators, one satellite system and two trucks to tow them. When disaster strikes, a Corps DTOC is on the road within six hours. With fax, phone, internet, GPS, copiers and more, a DTOC provides complete office facilities for up to 33 Corps emergency responders.

"It's their office away from home for 30 to 60 days," said National DTOS acting chief Conrad Williams, who helped oversee the exercise.

With each DTOC comes a Corps team to deploy it and get it up and running. The exercise at Black Butte was an advanced stage of the DTOC teams' training, designed to give them real-world experience operating the system. Each team deployed their equipment to Black Butte Lake, set it up, then worked through a series of problem-solving scenarios handed out by the moderators.

"Seeing all these people working together, many of them new to the tasks, knowing what their jobs are and doing them right, like they are here today - that's a successful exercise," Williams said.

Under the National Response Framework, the Corps supports the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in disasters or emergencies by providing public works and engineering services like infrastructure assessment, debris clearance, emergency power, temporary roofing for houses, and the establishment of temporary housing or critical public facilities.

Sacramento District park ranger and DTOC team member Sylvia Guerrero said that with the training, she feels fully prepared for the mission. "This gave us a preview of what we'll be dealing with when we deploy," she said. "Now, I'm ready to go."

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