Orange County Participates in Biennial VOPEX Drill, Staff Teamwork Highlighted
By: Orange County Communications Department
On July 19, 2022, Orange County activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to participate in a multiagency radiological emergency preparedness drill known as the Virginia Operations Plan Exercise, or VOPEX. This activity is held every other year, simulating an incident occurring at the North Anna Power Station in Louisa County. All localities that have residents within a 10 - mile radius of the station, as well as several state agencies and Dominion Energy, take part in the exercise. Performance is evaluated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This drill was the culmination of several preparedness activities in which Orange County has participated this year.
To ensure all participating agencies are truly prepared for an actual emergency, the exercise was conducted as realistically as possible. For example, conditions changed throughout the drill, with updates issued by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM). The Emergency Operations Manager coordinated and directed the EOC staff to respond appropriately to the updated emergency conditions. Phone calls chimed in regularly with drill personnel simulating “ rumor control ” phone calls, which help prepare staff to provide efficient, accurate information and direction to members of the public. During this year ’ s exercise, a caller asked whether they could bring their pet sloth (yes, sloth) to an Evacuation Assembly Center. While seemingly comical, staff are required to treat each call very seriously, and seek out correct information to promote public safety. Furthermore, the response extended beyond traditional interpretations of emergency personnel. Representatives from Social Services, the public school system, the Extension Office, and more were onsite to handle tasks related to their occupations and provide insights from their unique perspectives.
Despite the flurry of activity in the EOC, the drill went beyond any one location. In the field, Fire & EMS staff and Sheriff ’ s Office personnel actually drove designated routes to perform simulated checks or create detours. Assembly centers were prepared and operated as if an actual emergency were occurring. Team Orange performed admirably; at the conclusion of the event, FEMA evaluators were quick to recognize the teamwork that was demonstrated. Of particular note was the cross - departmental efforts to locate a simulated resident with a disability that would prevent their evacuation from the area. This pretend individual was
not part of the planned exercise, nor an intentional “ inject ” (a deliberate change made with the intent of evaluating the agencies ’ ability to adapt). Rather, it was a fluke occurrence from an offhand remark on the rumor control line. Nevertheless, EOC staff reacted as if it were a real situation. Deputies in the field mobilized to find the resident, while EOC tools such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) were utilized to analyze property records in support of the search. Despite the fictional nature of the resident, staff resolved the incident in a way that exceeded the expectations of the evaluators. At a follow - up debriefing event, it was confirmed that Orange County received no marks against its performance, which is a testament to the preparedness and adaptability of our dedicated employees.
Page 17 | August, 2022
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