Two-Day Exercise Simulated a Category 1 Hurricane

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today said that the statewide emergency preparedness exercise that concluded today allowed the state, local municipalities, utility companies and the private sector to enhance readiness and disaster preparedness, including mass care planning, in advance of the Connecticut’s hurricane season.

“This year’s exercise brought all of the state’s partners together to prepare for the types of storms and other emergencies that are inevitable but whose impact we have a responsibility to counteract to the greatest extent possible,” said Governor Malloy.  “Most importantly, the exercise enhanced coordination, communication and planning between stakeholders, with a focus on addressing the needs of our most at-risk populations.  I want to thank everyone who participated for their cooperation and dedication to the successful completion these exercises.”

The exercise is part of Governor Malloy’s ongoing Emergency Preparedness and Planning Initiative (EPPI), which began in 2011 and culminated with the first exercise in 2012. Coordinated by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection’s Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS), the exercise simulated a Category 1 Hurricane and tested the coordination and response of all participating stakeholders. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting 8 to 13 named storms this hurricane season, with 3 to 6 possibly becoming hurricanes and 1 to 2 possibly becoming major hurricanes.

“This exercise is an important opportunity to strengthen coordination at all levels of government, with the state’s utilities, and our private sector partners,” said Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman.  “Preparation is key to keeping residents safe, and helps speed recovery and restoration.”

Over the course of the two-day statewide drill, 163 participating municipalities and tribal nations activated their Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs), convened their local Unified Commands, and working with the American Red Cross, multi-jurisdictional sheltering was exercised in each of the 5 DEMHS Regions across the state (Bridgeport, East Hartford, Groton, Torrington, and Killingworth). Also, the state Department of Public Health exercised disaster preparedness and response with 18 hospitals across the state.

As with previous years, the exercise was scheduled over a two-day period, Saturday, June 21 and Monday, June 23, to allow towns with volunteer staff to choose to participate on the weekend, and towns with paid staff to participate on a weekday in order to reduce costs. The overall goals that were met include:

• Planning – All participating municipalities used their Local Emergency Operations Plan (LEOP) to implement an appropriate Incident Action Plan (IAP) with particular focus on planning that integrates functional needs, in response to a Category 1 Hurricane.

• Operational Coordination – All participating municipalities activated their local Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and convened Unified Command to coordinate and collaborate operational response to the community’s needs, and reviewed hurricane preparedness.

• Mass Care – All participating municipalities convened a municipal mass care/functional needs working group and exercised, either functionally or through tabletop, local evacuation and sheltering plans, with a focus on functional needs and at-risk populations.

• Communications – All participating municipalities tested their communications equipment and reviewed and planned for public messaging related to storm preparedness, response and recovery, with a focus on functional needs.

Materials related to the exercise and the Governor’s Emergency Planning and Preparedness Initiative can be found at www.ct.gov/demhs.