Last Thursday St. Clair County EMA, Emergency Operations staff and the Springville Fire Department, participated in a simulated exercise to better plans, policies, training and procedures.

The exercise was part of a course called the Virtual Tabletop Exercise Series (VTTX). VTTX describes this opportunity as a, “unique environment for learning lessons and sharing information.”

Participants across the country take part in various exercises at the same time and then report back via video-teleconference technology with their gains and insight. Thursday’s exercise included representation from 12 different U.S. states.

Bryan Schaeffers, St. Clair County EMA planner, said that these exercises are built by FEMA but can be altered in order to fit a particular community’s needs. Schaeffers also said these simulations could take anywhere from four to six months to build.

Thursday’s exercise was a four-school bus accident.

“Springville Fire Department had the same type of experience so we wanted to bring them in,” said Schaeffers. He said that this gave Springville FD an opportunity to think through what they would do if a similar situation were to occur and a chance to work closely with the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) staff.

St. Clair County EMA Director Ellen Tanner was happy to bring EOC staff together with the fire department.

“Any time you bring all responders together… You’re always furthering and enhancing abilities,” said Tanner.

Springville fire chief Richard Harvey said opportunities like this simulation are important not only for the experience but for getting to know EOC staff. He said it was nice to be able to put names with faces.

Harvey was grateful for the chance to bring his team out for the VTTX experience. He said when a team handles things the way they did in the exercise, the citizens of St. Clair County will benefit. “Anytime you can train and get your mind thinking; ‘What will I do? How will I handle?’ It is beneficial,” said Harvey.