Coast Guard tests disaster readiness

[The Patriot]

MCKINLEYVILLE, Calif. — Coast Guard Group/Air Station Humboldt Bay will test its readiness and ability to continue operations during a simulated disaster scenario tomorrow.

The Continuity of Operations Plan tests the Group’s ability to re-establish and maintain normal operations in the event the base needs to relocate and evacuate personnel. The COOP will also test the Coast Guard's notification and accountability systems.

The Coast Guard conducts COOP exercises annually with varying levels of complexity. This year’s excercise is a full scale simulation, meaning people, helicopters and equipment will actually be moved to an offsite location at Rhonerville Airport.

COOP is critical to testing the Coast Guard's ability to maintain operations while evaluating its coordination and communication following a major incident or natural disaster. The California Department of Fire and Forestry, a key player in the Humboldt County area emergency response community, will partner with the Coast Guard during this year’s drill.

"The exercise outcomes will ensure seamless inter-agency operations during a major event and enhance the ability to react swiftly to any incident," said Cmdr. Brian Edmiston, the operations officer for the Group.

The exercise is intended to test and improve Coast Guard operations and will continue through Thursday.




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