By JIM HARDIN
CNHI
ROCKWALL COUNTY — Emergency personnel from throughout Rockwall County passed their test during an exercise to practice their roles in response to a weather emergency.
“Overall, everyone did very well,” Joe DeLane, Rockwall County’s emergency management coordinator, said after the Saturday morning exercise that involved local responders in fire, police, public works and emergency medical services.
“Of course, you learn what you did right and you learn areas where you need to improve,” DeLane said.
The simulated emergency was staged at the Rockwall County Juvenile Services building on Whitmore Drive in Rockwall. The emergency was a probable tornado that caused the building to partially collapse, trapping victims inside.
The exercise involved Rockwall County and the cities of Rockwall, Royse City, Heath, Fate and McLendon-Chisholm.
The agencies performed duties called for in the Rockwall County Emergency Plan.
DeLane said a test of the plan is required every three years.
DeLane said the next drill will be a “tabletop” exercise that will involve department heads and other decision-makers.
He said they will be stationed in the county’s emergency operations center and make decisions based on a simulated emergency.
