Sedgwick County Emergency Management (SCEM) was chosen to participate in a national exercise program conducted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The program aids government entities in conducting emergency preparedness exercises to gauge the disaster readiness of the organization. The SCEM applied for the program and was chosen for the program over other governmental agencies in Region 7, which includes Kansas, Missouri, Iowa and Nebraska. Going through the program will help Sedgwick County design and conduct a full-scale active shooter simulation to be held March 11, 2025. “These exercises are so important for us to assess our preparedness planning, resources and capabilities to work with community partners in times of crisis,” said SCEM Director Julie Stimson. “Having FEMA support us through this process will fine-tune the training even more, at no cost to our community.” Sedgwick County’s exercise is one of 43 selected across the country that FEMA will support for 38 government entities. A well-designed simulation provides a low-risk environment to familiarize personnel with emergency roles and responsibilities. After the exercise, SCEM can reevaluate its preparedness plans and identify strengths and areas for improvement. “I already know that our Emergency Management team is top-notch because they’ve proven it in the field countless times, but there is always room for improvement in our plans,” Chairman of the Sedgwick County Board of County Commissioners, Commissioner Ryan Baty said. “A large, complex exercise like this is an objective way to test our policies and procedures and enhance our response, before Sedgwick County has to deal with a real-life disaster.”
Source: Derby Informer | Area
