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Vallejo Hosts Fire and Rescue Personnel in Two-Day Simulation Training
Vallejo, CA – The City of Vallejo hosted more than 400 fire and rescue personnel from the Bay Area and central California region on September 8 and 9, during a two-day simulation of emergency rescue situations.
 The 2018 Urban Shield Red Area Command consisted of 15 Fire Branch-related scenarios staged on Mare Island, comprised of hazardous material response, Urban Search and Rescue (USAR), and maritime response. In addition to fire personnel, the training included as many as 80 volunteer “role players,” several of whom are members of the City’s community emergency response team (CERT). Participation of volunteers offers a realistic element in 10 of the scenarios. Simulation exercises included a multi-vehicle accident requiring medical rescue, hazardous material leaks, confined space rescues, building collapse, radiological material, active shooter and emergency response.
Both a performance-based tactical training and a competition, agencies often pair up to complete scenarios, receiving critical feedback and identified areas of improvement, strengthening the coordination and communication between partners. Not every fire agency has USAR or Hazmat teams, so coming together for training purposes is imperative to protect life in the actual event of an emergency.
“These exercises provide the opportunity for various agencies and emergency responders to improve coordination and practice real-life scenarios,” said Vallejo Deputy Fire Chief Mark Sharpe. “Although these situations are rare, they are high-risk for both the emergency responders and the public. The training ensures that our personnel have the knowledge and skill to respond with the needed resources.”
Red Area Command is part of the larger Urban Shield training held across the Bay Area. Urban Shield is an annual, full-scale regional preparedness exercise, designed to strengthen each participating agency’s preparedness to respond to threats or actual domestic terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies. The program involves law enforcement agencies, fire and emergency medical services, civilian volunteers, local, state, and federal agencies representing law enforcement, emergency first responders, tactical teams, and the United States Department of Homeland Security.
The City would like to thank XKT Engineering Inc., Phil White of the Bay Area Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), Alameda County Sheriff Office, REACH, Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA), Touro University, and Lennar Corporation for assisting in the successful execution of the two-day training. The City also thanks the Vallejo Fire Department for providing logistical support. Photos of the event can be found on the City’s Facebook page.
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