PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY, Calif. - The Presidio of Monterey Crisis Action Team (CAT) was activated after strong winds and rain uprooted a tree which fell onto power lines, disabling at least two-thirds of the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center schools Jan. 19.
The CAT was staffed mostly by personnel from the Presidio of Monterey Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security to review information funneled through the Installation Operations Center (IOC) and gave commanders accurate and timely information.
"The IOC was established to liaison with the Incident Command Post to maintain situational awareness and to provide the leadership with accurate and timely information so they can make good decisions," Shawn Marshall, CAT plans chief, said.
Functional area specialists from Garrison and DLIFLC are called into the IOC/CAT when needed Marshall said, to process the information received from the ICP.
"They all come together to take rapid and decisive action in support of the incident commander or as directed by the command group," he said.
Depending on the situation, a full CAT is not necessary to manage crises, but will be necessary in the event of emergencies such as Fort Hood.
"We've increased the amount of training and exercises with respect to the unique force protection environment found at most installations today," Marshall said.
With an installation exercise coming in February that will test the CAT to its limits, this incident served as a precursor, as Marshall reiterated the importance of being accurate especially when information comes at a rapid-fire pace.
Marshall said the ultimate funtion of the CAT is to "receive and clarify multiple, different reports and get to the real truth.
After briefing the garrison commander and the commandant to gain a decision on operations during the power outage, Marshall concluded: "I see some challenges in getting to the relevant facts, but we are getting better at that."
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