Biennial VOPEX Drill Tests, and Confirms, Orange County Emergency Preparedness
By: Orange County Communications Department
“ Drill, drill, drill. ” These words were repeated extensively in the Orange County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on July 16. With participants realistically rehearsing as if there were an actual emergency at North Anna Power Plant, the consistent reassurance that the events were imaginary was a significant calming factor in an otherwise serious, even stressful, environment. The Virginia Operations Plan Exercise, or VOPEX, is conducted for the North Anna Power Station, and surrounding localities, every other year. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requires that any states with nuclear power plants undergo a preparatory exercise biennially. This year, elements were added to increase the level of difficulty. For example, our personnel were not allowed to “ stage ” the EOC. Instead, we had to wait until receipt of an alert indicated that an event had transpired at the power station. Once received, staff hurried to assemble workstations and get ready to respond. However, the state - of - the - art nature of our Public Safety Building reduced the burden of set up, and responders were quickly in place. As the imaginary event escalated, all aspects of emergency response were tested, including in the field and beyond. VOPEX is not intended to examine the response Staff review a Lake Anna map during a drill practice.
of each locality in a vacuum, but rather the ability of localities, state agencies, and Dominion Energy to cooperate for the public wellbeing. Players throughout the Commonwealth participated simultaneously in real time as the events of the exercise unfolded.
During the drill, an inject (an intentional changeup thrown into the exercise by controllers to test adaptability) was given which posed the problem of an overturned log truck blocking the evacuation corridor. Participants quickly realized that although the road closure was intended to disrupt efforts in Orange County, the road was actually located in Spotsylvania County. Handling the situation required coordination between the EOCs of both counites, including their Emergency Managers, Sheriff ’ s Offices, Public Information Offices, and more. We are pleased to report that initial evaluations, made by exercise controllers for Orange County, were overwhelmingly positive. Perhaps the old adage, “ practice makes perfect ” rings true, as this was actually the fourth practice opening of the EOC just this year. While it is hoped that we won ’ t need to activate the EOC for a true disaster, residents should be assured that Orange County emergency personnel are ready to respond if the need arises. Evaluators and controllers observed the exercise across the region. Photo from VDEM Facebook page.
Page 2 | August 2024
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