Local agencies participate in large-scale exercise

Responders in law enforcement and emergency services often respond to difficult and tense situations. But there are scenarios which none of those responders would like to see.

Today the news is filled with numerous reports of mass shootings, hostage situations, natural disasters and any number of incidents where multiple agencies respond.

Last Saturday, local agencies held an exercise where responders dealt with three practice incidents designed to test the abilities of those responding. While not being specific on incident makeup, Sheriff John Jenson said the scenarios were “the type found in today’s society.”

The practice incidents put responders through the paces dealing with suspects, victims, passers-by and scene challenges that they could expect to encounter while protecting the public.

The purpose, Jenson said, was two part. First, it was a continuation of training already performed by the sheriff’s office and police department. Training, he said, is one of the most important things agencies can do as they prepare to do their jobs.

“If you’re not training,” Jenson said, “you’re missing out.”

The other purpose was to place all the agencies together in a larger, worst-case scenario where all responders see what the others do in the overall scheme, “so we can all see how our people fit.”

Jenson said while all agencies train individually, it’s important that they all do it together on occasion, particularly in the types of situations seen Saturday.

“This was one of the largest exercises we’ve ever conducted,” Jenson said. The exercise included participation from the Cheyenne County Sheriff’s office, Sidney Police Department, Sidney Fire Department, Emergency Response Care ambulance service, Region 21 Emergency Management, Cheyenne County Emergency Communications Center, Cabela’s, Morrill County Sheriff’s Office, and F.E. Warren Air Force Base.

Jenson said training with all the agencies that might be involved in a mass incident brings a whole difference perspective to a scene. Most of the agencies have worked together at some time another, but so far have not all been involved in a situation that brings them all together.

Jenson said that while problems can be identified through an exercise like this, he feels there weren’t a lot of problems.

“It opens our eyes that if there were difficulties, they can be identified,” Jenson said. “But it also shows us the things we’re doing that are right and how we can do better.”

In conversation Saturday just hours after the exercise, Sidney Fire Chief Keith Stone’s views were similar to those of the sheriff.

“We learned a lot,” Stone said. “It went very well and we found some things we can do better. It was good to work with the other agencies on something this big.”

Stone’s remarks on the value of training were to the point as well, saying “if you’re not training, you’re setting yourself up for failure.”

Jenson closed his remarks on the exercise with praise for Cabela’s and the volunteers who played various roles, who he said helped make the day a success.

“Our volunteers were great,” said Jenson. “They took it serious and did a great job.”

In all, Jenson said he was very impressed by the dedication of all involved. “This was the best cooperation we could ask for.”