Connecticut holds hurricane emergency preparedness exercise

The Connecticut state officials together with the utility firms and private sector partners have collectively participated in an emergency preparation drill, organised by Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS).

Carried out as part of the Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy’s ongoing Emergency Preparedness and Planning Initiative (EPPI), the exercise simulated a Category 1 Hurricane, which was mainly aimed to improve the readiness and disaster preparedness, such as mass care planning.

Governor Malloy said that the latest exercise brought all of the state’s partners together to prepare for the types of storms and other emergencies that are inevitable.

"Most importantly, the exercise enhanced coordination, communication and planning between stakeholders, with a focus on addressing the needs of our most at-risk populations," Malloy added.

During the two-day statewide drill, the participating municipalities and tribal nations triggered their Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs), organised their local Unified Commands, and worked with the American Red Cross to implemented multi-jurisdictional sheltering in all the five DEMHS Regions across the state.

In addition, the state Department of Public Health also tested disaster preparedness and response with 18 statewide hospitals.

During the exercise, all the involved participants were able to plan as per requirement; were able to coordinate and collaborate operational response to the community’s needs, and reviewed hurricane preparedness; exercised local evacuation and sheltering plans; and tested their communications devices.

Image: The two-day exercise involved simulation of a Category 1 Hurricane. Photo: courtesy of CT.gov.

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