West Point will conduct an Integrated Protection Exercise from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. to test the installation’s emergency response and recovery capabilities with a realistic mass casualty (MASCAL) scenario on March 13.
The scenario will involve a traffic accident with large vehicles and pedestrians near Ike Hall. To ensure the safety of exercise personnel, responding personnel will close access points at Pitcher Road. Access to parking in the tiered lots will remain open. Gillis Field House will remain open for the duration of the exercise via entry from Tower Road.
“MASCAL is a component of many large-scale emergencies but is often not given adequate play time during exercises as the focus is on the primary threat,” said Annie Flores, Installation Emergency Manager. “The (Office of Emergency Management) wanted to give the opportunity to test this fundamental because it requires so much coordination to get it right.”
Role-players across the installation will act as patients, allowing first responders to exercise patient triage and coordination with external agencies and hospitals. Observers will also be present to note performance to help build the after-action report and guide future training.
“This exercise will allow Keller Army Community Hospital (KACH) military and civilian staff an opportunity to drill and validate our emergency response procedures,” said Paul Netzel, KACH Emergency Manager. It is a great opportunity to prepare to support our greater West Point community in the face of real-world emergencies.”
While the staged accident site will be the most visible part of this year’s exercise, many offices and functions participate or support the incident. The West Point Emergency Operations Center will activate with members from garrison and USMA to act as an information hub and assist with coordinating the incident. Any emergency can have a ripple effect on the community, and leaders need the best information available to make real-time decisions about road or gate closures, mission impacts, and changes to routine and special events.
Activation of the mass warning notifications system known as ALERT! may be directed to inform the base population of emergencies and related impacts. All installation personnel are required to register for the system and CAC holders can validate their information at https://alert.csd.disa.mil/.
“We have seen a significant increase in registration for the ALERT! system in recent months,” Flores said, “however it is important that personnel also respond to the messages by selecting the appropriate option.”
This requires that each message be opened and read completely, as instructions and responses may change as the situation develops.
“It is one tool we use to reach out entire population, quickly” Flores added. “The responses help the EOC gage resources and where to place them. Sending in a response will also stop the system from trying to contact you repeatedly with the same message.”
Additional information about this year’s exercise or for assistance with ALERT! accounts can be obtained by contacting Annie Flores in the Emergency Management Office at 845-938-7092 or via email at anne-marie.flores.civ@army.mil