Town works on emergency preparedness
Dartmouth staff members took part in a tabletop exercise on April 28 to strengthen emergency preparedness efforts. Source: Jessica Dastous
Dartmouth staff members took part in a tabletop exercise on April 28 to strengthen emergency preparedness efforts. Source: Jessica Dastous
The town of Dartmouth participated in a tabletop exercise to get better at emergency preparedness, simulating a category two to three hurricane.
“This exercise was a valuable opportunity to bring all of our partners together and ensure we are coordinated and ready,” said Emergency Management Director, Tim Sheehan.
A tabletop exercise is a discussion-based exercise where officials and emergency responders work through an emergency, discussing plans and decision making.
Besides the town, participants included Dartmouth Emergency Management, the fire departments, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, Department of Public Works, the police department, Dartmouth Harbormaster and STAT EMS. The exercise was led by two cadets from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy.
The activity started with a week's warning, continued to 72 hours before impact, the 24-hours including the storm and post-storm management. They discussed notifying residents, securing beaches, identifying shelter and road closures.
“While we hope to never face a storm of this magnitude, practicing our response helps us better protect our residents, property, and critical infrastructure,” said Sheehan.
