THRC To Hold Annual Tabletop Disaster Response Exercise

Release Date:January 24, 2007
Contact: Karen LaPlante
Contact Phone: 918.382.2411

Local Human Service Organizations to Test Response Plans.The Tulsa Human Response Coalition (THRC) will hold its fourth annual tabletop disaster response exercise on Tuesday, January 30 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Family & Children’s Services, 650 South Peoria.

The emergency scenario to be presented during the exercise will encourage open discussion of roles, responsibilities, resources and limitations for many types of organizations: human/social service, non-profit, faith-based, healthcare, utility and first response. Mike McCool, Director of the Tulsa Area Emergency Management Agency, will facilitate the exercise, and over 50 agencies are expected to participate.

“Oklahoma’s recent weather related events are the classic example of why this type of dialogue is so important,” says Jim Lyall, Associate Director of the Community Service Council. “For experienced responders the exercise is a good refresher, and for those who are new to disaster response, it’s a great opportunity to see how all of the pieces fit together in a time of community need.” The exercise is built around a realistic scenario for northeast Oklahoma and is designed to help gauge preparedness and improve interaction.

The THRC is a coalition of community organizations and first response entities working together to foster communication, share resources, and reduce duplication of efforts during an emergency. THRC supports the human service aspect of planning, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery to ensure an efficient delivery of services. The Community Service Council of Greater Tulsa provides administrative support for THRC.

Note: Media representatives are invited to attend the introductory phase of the exercise, and members of the exercise planning committee will be available for comment following the exercise.