Emergency Disaster Exercises Help Keep Southlake Prepared

Residents of Southlake can rest easy knowing that emergency response personnel with the City of Southlake are continually training to be prepared for any crisis.

On January 23, 2018, Southlake’s Emergency Management Coordinator participated in a hazmat drill with the City of Denton.  The exercise scenario is played out in real time to allow for teams to enhance their training and prepare for a similar incident in their City.

In the exercise, the teams were told that water utility staff discovered a leaking valve while changing over chlorine tanks at the Lake Ray Roberts Water Treatment Plant. The team is charged with immediately implementing on-site emergency procedures and notifying 9-1-1. Public safety personnel respond to secure the area and determine the appropriate response procedures. Water Utility crews provide site specialists, Fire Department Hazmat teams contain the leak, and the Police Department teams provide perimeter security and traffic control, while the Emergency Operations staff assist with support and emergency notifications. All of the teams work together to resolve the crisis. Eric Hutmacher says, “In the event of a real emergency, nearby cities may request mutual aid to assist. This allows agencies to double or triple their resources and manpower to bring an emergency situation under control much faster.”

The City of Southlake participates in multiple emergency disaster drills each year. Hutmacher adds, “The best way to prepare for emergencies is to participate in these exercises.” Hutmacher was also recently selected as the Chair of the North Central Texas EmergencyManagement Committee.

Click here to learn more about Southlake’s Emergency Operations or if you have additional questions, you may contact the Southlake Fire Department at (817) 748-8106.