6TrainingExercise.docx

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Training And Exercise

Shane Goodreau

Grand Canyon University: EMM-685

Dr. Robert Ditch

8 February 2023

Training And Exercise

Introduction

The Fairbanks North Star Borough Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) is designed to guide the borough in responding to emergencies and disasters. A key aspect of the EOP is ensuring that all relevant stakeholders are trained and prepared to carry out their designated roles and responsibilities during an emergency. This section of the EOP outlines the mandatory annual training and exercises required for all participants and specialized response teams in the borough.

Mandatory annual training and exercises

Training/Exercise

Participants/Specialized Response Teams

Training Location

Resources Needed

Basic Life Support (BLS)

All emergency responders

On-site at borough facilities or local training centers

Medical equipment, instructors, and BLS certification materials

Emergency Evacuation

All emergency responders and essential personnel

On-site at borough facilities or local training centers

Workplace emergency exits, evacuation route maps, trainers, and safety equipment

Fire Suppression

Firefighters and other specialized response teams

On-site at borough facilities or local training centers

Fire suppression equipment, trainers, and safety gear

Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT)

Hazardous materials response teams

On-site at borough facilities or local training centers

HAZMAT equipment, trainers, and safety gear

Search and Rescue (SAR)

All emergency responders

On-site at borough facilities or local training centers

SAR equipment, trainers, and safety gear

Emergency Medical Training

Health Department

On-site at borough facilities or local training centers

Medical equipment, simulated emergency scenarios

Tabletop Exercise

Emergency Operations Center (EOC) staff

On-site at borough facilities or local training centers

Emergency scenarios, communication equipment

Rationale

All training is conducted at the operation centers to access the necessary resources and equipment to simulate real-life emergency situations. The centers provide the space and friendly environment necessary to ensure that person receives the most comprehensive emergency training.

Basic Life Support (BLS) Training

BLS training is critical in emergency response as it prepares first responders and designated personnel to provide immediate medical assistance in life-threatening situations. The training focuses on CPR, defibrillation, airway management, and other critical life-saving skills. BLS training provides prompt and effective medical care during emergencies (Soar et al., 2021). For instance, in case of a cardiac arrest, BLS training can help first responders correctly perform CPR and use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to revive the patient, potentially saving their life.

Emergency Evacuation Training

Emergency evacuation training is essential in preparing designated personnel to evacuate residents and visitors from hazardous situations. This training covers safe and efficient evacuation procedures, including emergency exit routes, emergency lighting, and fire suppression systems. It ensures that individuals are equipped with the knowledge and skills to safely evacuate a building in an emergency, reducing the risk of injury and fatalities (Bag & Ganguly, 2023). For instance, in case of a fire, emergency evacuation training can help individuals locate emergency exits, avoid smoke and fire, and evacuate safely.

Fire Suppression Training:

Fire suppression training is critical in preparing designated personnel to respond to fire emergencies effectively. The training covers the use of fire extinguishers, fire hoses, and fire suppression systems. It equips individuals with the knowledge and skills to control and extinguish small fires, reducing the risk of fire spread and damage to the building and its occupants (Rabajczyk et al., 2021). For instance, in the case of a kitchen fire, fire suppression training can help an individual quickly grab a fire extinguisher, aim at the base of the fire, and suppress the flames before they spread.

Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Training

HAZMAT training is essential in preparing designated personnel to respond to hazardous material incidents effectively. The training covers identifying, handling, and disposing hazardous materials, including chemicals, biological agents, and radioactive materials (Romney, 2020). It equips individuals with the knowledge and skills to respond to hazardous material incidents safely and efficiently, reducing the risk of exposure and harm to the public and the environment. For instance, in case of a chemical spill, HAZMAT training can help an individual identify the hazardous material, contain the spill, and dispose of the material safely.

Search and Rescue (SAR) Training

SAR training is critical in preparing designated personnel to effectively respond to search and rescue missions. The training covers search techniques, navigation, communication, and survival skills. It equips individuals with the knowledge and skills to search for and rescue individuals in emergencies, reducing the risk of injury and fatalities (Kruke & Auestad, 2021). For instance, in a natural disaster, SAR training can help individuals locate and rescue individuals trapped in rubble and debris.

Emergency Medical Training

Emergency medical training is essential in preparing designated personnel to assist during emergencies. The training covers basic life support skills, wound care, and the transport of patients. It prepares individuals with the knowledge and skills to provide prompt and effective medical care during emergencies, reducing the risk of injury and fatalities (Alrayyes et al., 2022). For instance, in case of a vehicle accident, emergency medical training can help individuals provide first aid, stabilize the patient, and transport them to the hospital safely.

Tabletop Exercise

Tabletop Exercise is essential to an EOP as it allows participants to practice and refine their emergency response skills and procedures in a controlled environment. It assesses the preparedness and response capabilities of designated personnel, identifies areas for improvement, and makes necessary adjustments to the EOP (Amberson et al., 2020). For instance, in the case of a simulated earthquake scenario, a tabletop exercise can help individuals practice their roles and responsibilities, assess their communication and coordination capabilities, and make necessary adjustments to the EOP to improve their response to similar real-life emergencies.

To receive buy-in for these training and exercise recommendations, it is important to communicate the benefits and importance of the training and exercises to all stakeholders. It can be achieved through regular meetings, presentations, and involving the stakeholders in the planning and implementing the training and exercises.

Authorization: To mandate these requirements, the EOC Director and relevant department heads must be authorized. The funding for the training and exercises must be secured through the logistics and finance departments.

Conclusion

The Fairbanks North Star Borough Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) requires comprehensive and effective training and exercises to ensure that all stakeholders are prepared to respond to emergencies. This paper has provided a detailed analysis of the recommended annual training and exercises, including the participants, specialized response teams, training locations, resources needed, and a rationale for each recommendation. Additionally, strategies for obtaining "buy-in" and authorization for the training and exercise requirements have been outlined, ensuring the success and implementation of the EOP.

References

Alrayyes, M. A., Alaila, B. H., Aldalou, M. R. R., & Omamalin, N. G. D. (2022). The Emergency Preparedness of Level-Four Primary Health Care Centers in the Gaza Strip, the Occupied Palestinian Territory: An Assessment of Primary Care Providers’ Competencies and Facilities Preparedness. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1049023x22002357

Amberson, T., Wells, C., & Gossman, S. (2020). Increasing Disaster Preparedness in Emergency Nurses: A Quality Improvement Initiative. Journal of Emergency Nursing, 46(5), 654-665.e21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jen.2020.05.001

Bag, S., & Ganguly, K. (2023). Mitigation of Fire Hazards in Hospital. A Guide to Hospital Administration and Planning, 193–229. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-6692-7_12

Kruke, B. I., & Auestad, A. C. (2021). Emergency preparedness and rescue in Arctic waters. Safety Science, 136, 105163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2021.105163

Rabajczyk, A., Zielecka, M., Popielarczyk, T., & Sowa, T. (2021). Nanotechnology in Fire Protection—Application and Requirements. Materials, 14(24), 7849. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14247849

Romney, D. A. (2020). Chemical, Biological, Radiological, or Nuclear Event (CBRNE): Prehospital and Hospital Management. Operational and Medical Management of Explosive and Blast Incidents, 569–582. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-40655-4_42

Soar, J., Böttiger, B. W., Carli, P., Couper, K., Deakin, C. D., Djärv, T., Lott, C., Olasveengen, T., Paal, P., Pellis, T., Perkins, G. D., Sandroni, C., & Nolan, J. P. (2021). European Resuscitation Council Guidelines 2021: Adult advanced life support. Resuscitation, 161, 115–151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resuscitation.2021.02.010