CHARLESTON, W.Va.— A full-scale emergency exercise, designed to test the capabilities of community emergency response agencies in the event of a natural disaster, will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 24 from 9:30 a.m. until approximately 2:30 p.m.
Emergency management, response and recovery agencies from Barbour, Braxton, Gilmer, Lewis, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Randolph, Tucker, Upshur and Webster counties will participate.
The scenario involves a heavy snowfall that suddenly melts, followed by heavy rains that cause widespread flooding along streams in the region.
Emergency response officials will be conducting operations as if this were a real emergency.
Residents in the area may see an increased number of emergency response vehicles and personnel and may hear radio traffic related to this exercise. The community should be advised there is no need for concern.
A team of evaluators will be present in each county to judge the effectiveness of the exercise and the readiness of responding crews. The exercise will have no effect on daily operations.
Federal and State regulations require emergency management and response agencies to participate in emergency exercises annually to maintain the response effectiveness of each agency involved. This exercise will satisfy those requirements
