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- Multiagency earthquake response drill will be held in November
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By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-New Correspondent
There will be some excitement in Nephi in November that will give those involved with emergency management a chance to see how well they are prepared to deal with a major disaster.
"The Utah Division of Emergency Management and the Utah National Guard are participating in Vigilant Guard Utah 2014, a multiagency earthquake response exercise November 3-6, 2014, in various locations along the Wasatch Front," said Randy McKnight, city administator.
Wasatch Front residents may see various emergency response activities and a military presence associated with a multiday emergency exercise in November.
It's a good reminder during September, which is National Preparedness Month, that preparedness is for government and residents alike.
"The exercise scenario calls for a large-magnitude earthquake to hit somewhere in Davis and Salt Lake Counties, causing extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure, as well as significant loss of life," said McKnight.
The exercise is designed to test and improve the Division of Emergency Management's and the Utah National Guard's ability to work with and support civilian authorities in response to a natural disaster or a civil emergency.
Eventually, every emergency response organization must hold a full-scale exercise because it is necessary at some point to test capabilities in an environment as near to the real one as possible.
"Vigilant Guard is an exercise program sponsored by the United States Northern Command and supported by National Guard Bureau," said McKnight.
Some out-of-state participants will relocate temporarily to Utah, while others will remain in their home states to provide command and control, administrative or logistical support for the exercise.
Other participants will include: National Guard units from Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and New Mexico; Salt Lake, Utah, Juab, Summit, Davis, and Wasatch counties; hospitals, including Primary Children's Medical Center, University of Utah, Lone Peak, Davis and Central Valley; American Red Cross; Utah Railway Company; and Questar Gas.
"Nephi Municipal Airport will also play a support role in the exercise," said McKnight.
Along with the airport use, the hospital will be called on to perform emergency care for simulated victims of the earthquake.
"Some of our citizens will be called on to participate," said Mark Jones, mayor. "Members of the National Guard from our area will be participating as well as those providing medical attention."
For official information and updates before and during the exercise, follow #VGUT14. McKnight said that information was also available on social media using the hashtag as shown.
Personal preparedness information is always available at BeReadyUtah.gov
The Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country handbook is a comprehensive resource that provides information about the threat posed by earthquakes in Utah, particularly along the Wasatch Front, and explains how to prepare for, survive, and recover from these inevitable events.
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