Mock Disaster Helps Town Officials Practice Emergency Procedures

By Steve Bigham

Town and emergency officials recently took part in a mock disaster exercise in an effort to better prepare themselves for when and if the big one hits. “The big one” could be a hurricane, tornado, flood, earthquake, or any other catastrophe that causes serious casualties and damage.

The event took place at the Sandy Hook firehouse and all the major players were on hand. Among them was First Selectmen Herb Rosenthal who, while not formally trained in emergency response, would be on the front lines should something bad ever happen.

“It was good training for me. I knew the fire, police, and ambulance were all well trained, but this was the first time that I was ever involved, other than the bad storm on election night. That was on-the-job training,” said Mr Rosenthal, recalling that eventful night.

Last November, the town was abuzz with Election Night excitement and the results were beginning to pour into the headquarters of both the Republicans and Democrats. Mr Rosenthal had run unopposed in his bid for reelection. However, his son, Dan, was seeking election to the Legislative Council. As the polls closed, Mr Rosenthal headed out to get the results. He expected to return in less than an hour. However, as the storm hit, Mr Rosenthal was forced to spring into action, manning the phones and helping to coordinate rescue efforts. Finally, he was able to return to the Democratic headquarters to inform Dan that he was a winner.

Heading last month’s training exercise was Sandy Hook fire chief Bill Halstead, who last year took over as the town’s director of emergency management. The town’s new system takes over for the antiquated civil defense operation, which had been around since World War II. Residents may remember the old civil defense cars in the Labor Day Parade. Those cars have since been sold. Today’s fleet of emergency response vehicle includes Sandy Hook’s mobile command unit, which comes complete with computers and advanced radio communications.

Chief Halstead said last month’s “table top exercise” helped to prepare police, fire, ambulance, and town crews on what to do in a crisis. The town has now completed its emergency manual list and appears ready to handle the coordination of these events.

The May 16 exercise featured several scenarios in which the emergency management team had to determine the proper course of action. That often meant having to prioritize which calls to respond to first. For example, a fire at Curtis Packaging might take precedence over a pumping detail at a home on Hanover Road.

“You’re never prepared for a catastrophe, but I think we’re better prepared than we were a year ago,” Mr Rosenthal said.

On hand were representatives from the state’s emergency management department, Red Cross volunteers, Fred Hurley of Public Works, Town Engineer Ron Bolmer, Ron Moffat of the Parks & Recreation, Joe Rios of Newtown Police, Harold Evans and Liz Cain of the Newtown Ambulance Corps, Fire Marshal George Lockwood, Mark Cooper of the Health District, Dominic Posca of the Newtown school system, and Jan Andras, administrative assistant in the first selectman’s office.

The town’s emergency management operation would be run out of Town Hall South.