Disaster Drill In Teton County Idaho

Emergency managers, volunteer agencies and first responders are participating in a full-scale two-day exercise in Eastern Idaho counties including Teton County.  The exercise is based on an earthquake scenario, and focuses on evacuations and caring for survivors of the simulated disaster. Eastern Idaho has an identified seismic threat, and this exercise will provide an opportunity for agencies and organizations to practice how they would come together and test their methods and skills for responding to emergencies.  Yesterday, the focus of the exercise was on how the jurisdictions would conduct evacuations, and today the focus is on providing care to citizens who have been impacted by the simulated emergency.  Participants in Teton County yesterday included school and hospital personnel who practiced evacuation procedures. Organizers of the event point out that while this exercise is based upon an earthquake scenario, the skills they put into action would be used in other types of emergencies as well.