Training exercise shows how Boulder City might help in a disaster

An emergency management training exercise involving a fictional earthquake striking Las Vegas was held recently at FEMA's National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, Md. A 70-person delegation from Clark County, including Boulder City's Deputy Police Chief John Chase, coordinator of Boulder City's emergency planning team, took part in the exercise.

Chase explained an integrated response training disaster scenario was laid out for county administrators, staff and representatives from multiple communities and community organizations.

According to the scenario, a 6.4 earthquake took place with an epicenter at the base of Sunrise Mountain. The training focused on post-disaster recovery efforts. Included were participants from Clark County Fire, Police, Public Works, Development Services, Air Quality and Environmental Management and Social Services departments, as well as officials from surrounding cities. Community agents such as the Red Cross and United Way were included in the training.

Chase said in this scenario, Boulder City served as a resource that could be called upon as needed. For example, a need you might not think about was a request to Boulder City for tires for police cars.

"Metro blew out tires left and right driving over debris during recovery efforts," Chase said. "They needed 120 spare tires and wanted to know how many Henderson, Boulder City and others could provide."

Chase also said they asked that Boulder City open up its emergency operation center and assist with the injured. Chase served in the Emergency Operations Center.

"I was assisting Las Vegas police and managing their resources, trying to obtain information on damages and locate resources," he said.

He said a major question for Boulder City was, "What can we offer and what can we bring to the table?"

According to the scenario, U.S. 93/95 between Boulder City and Las Vegas remained open.

I later asked Jim O'Brien, manager of Clark County's Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and the man who put it all together, if it were realistic that the highway would be open with a 6.4 earthquake that close. He said the scenario was drawn up in Washington concerning a Las Vegas disaster.

"If the situation were reversed," I asked, "and Boulder City was severely damaged, is there reciprocity?"

"One hundred percent," O'Brien said.

He said there has been a local Emergency Planning Commission for more than 20 years with provisions and plans for all of Clark County, not just Las Vegas.

Chase said the training was essentially a response and recovery exercise. Everybody from every department was there, including the coroner's office.

"Everybody from the Clark County manager down to me, from Boulder City, was there," he said.

The scenario estimated there would be 512,000 households without water or power. They estimated there would likely be 1,467 casualties.

"I left this training with a better understanding of the significance and the breadth of a disaster in Clark County," Chase said. "I have a greater appreciation of how much of a resource smaller entities, such as Boulder City, can be to a major metropolitan area."

Chase also emphasized that meeting and getting to know the key people in Clark County would be very valuable.

"We have a common understanding and have laid the foundation for more efficient cooperation," he said.

For those who worry about Boulder City budgets and expenditures, don't be concerned. FEMA paid Chase's expenses.

Bill Erin is a Boulder City News columnist.