Oakland County holds disaster exercise for emergency management teams

On Tuesday, Oakland County emergency management teams conducted a full-scale disaster exercise in Rochester, Michigan, simulating the collapse of a six-story apartment building. This training involved multiple emergency agencies and aimed to enhance the skills of first responders in various rescue scenarios, including rope rescue, confined space extrication, and tower rescue. The exercise was designed to test the teams' quick thinking and safety skills in a controlled environment, preparing them for real-life emergencies. Ann Echoles, a participant in the exercise, emphasized the importance of these drills for improving communication, operations, and logistics among different agencies. With over 60 emergency crews and 20 911 call centers in Oakland County, the coordination of resources and personnel is crucial during a disaster. The training allowed teams to familiarize themselves with each other's tools and capabilities, ensuring a more effective response in actual emergencies. Darin Page, an emergency management specialist, highlighted the paradox of disaster training: while responders are eager to apply their skills, it signifies a tragic event for the community. The goal of these exercises is to ensure that, in the event of a disaster, responders can act swiftly and efficiently, minimizing harm to the public. The motivation for this year's exercise stemmed from lessons learned during the 2021 Surfside condominium collapse in Florida, underscoring the need for regular training to keep skills sharp and ready for any potential crisis. The community benefits from these preparations, as mutual aid agreements ensure a prompt and coordinated response to emergencies.