Ansonia’s Emergency Operation Center during the state-wide drill last week. Photo by Deputy Emergency Management Director David Geloso.
ANSONIA -- Last Monday, Ansonia, along with other Emergency Operation Centers throughout the state, practiced a disaster scenario: a localized Category 3 hurricane.
Ansonia has an Emergency Operations Plan that it utilizes as guidance though various situations.
Issues that arise include when to open the primary emergency shelter, monitor the river levels for when to close the flood gates, and evacuations if needed.
The Ansonia EOC (Emergency Operations Center) was open on July 30 and 31 with various department heads, United Illuminating personnel and representatives from Lower Naugatuck Valley Health District on hand.
The need for the drill was an outcome from the storms that raged through Connecticut in 2011.
Issues that arise include when to open the primary emergency shelter, monitor the river levels for when to close the flood gates, and evacuations if needed.
The Ansonia EOC (Emergency Operations Center) was open on July 30 and 31 with various department heads, United Illuminating personnel and representatives from Lower Naugatuck Valley Health District on hand.
The need for the drill was an outcome from the storms that raged through Connecticut in 2011.
“This drill served Ansonia residents by providing a better-prepared emergency service,” said Mayor James Della Volpe, who participated in the scenario. “This can only enhance the city’s ability to respond in disaster situations.”
During the two-day drill, the state coordinators threw different issues at towns for response reactions. As example, after Ansonia’s emergency shelter was established, the storm developed strong winds tearing the roof off the building. The question the EOC had to tackle was how to react and what was the next course of action.
“This was a very good drill which helped us to better prepare in case we are ever faced with a disaster in the future,” said Police Chief Kevin Hale, who also serves as Ansonia’s Emergency Management Director.
“While a drill of this nature cannot truly present us with conditions of an actual emergency, we were able to see our strengths as well as areas that we need to address.”
“While a drill of this nature cannot truly present us with conditions of an actual emergency, we were able to see our strengths as well as areas that we need to address.”
Della Volpe noted that the city’s new CodeRED alert system was tested July 30. “This is another enhancement to our ability to provide timely and accurate information to our residents.”
“We were very pleased especially with the roll-out of the CodeRED alert system, which will allow us to contact our citizens in particular areas or throughout the entire city and provide them with timely information should the need arise,” Hale added.
Residents can access the CodeRED system on Ansonia’s home page at: www.CityofAnsonia.com.
The above information is taken from a release from Eileen Krugel, grant writer, City of Ansonia.
The above information is taken from a release from Eileen Krugel, grant writer, City of Ansonia.
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