By Molly Carnell, American Red Cross Utah/Nevada Region

Washoe County’s Health District, Emergency Management, and Homeland Security organizations recently conducted a three-day large-scale emergency preparedness event in Reno. The exercises are designed to better prepare participants, including first responder agencies and local organizations, for various potential disasters, according to event organizers. And for Red Cross volunteer Betsy Morse, it was an eye-opener.

“Some exercises involved the use of actual nuclear radiation that a hazmat team removed at the end of training, and that was a big surprise to me,” Morse said. “The planners were of course very careful to ensure that none of the participants were put in harm's way, but it certainly upped the ante.”

Participants worked through hypothetical, large-scale disaster simulations in regional hospitals. The training included triage, checking for radiation exposure and evacuating local neighborhoods. Washoe County Health District Communications Manager Scott Oxarart noted the importance of these kinds of exercises.

“The purpose of this Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive (CBRNE) exercise was to test our local response plans to a multi-hazard event,” Oxarart said. “Disasters come in all shapes and sizes but making sure you’re prepared is key to being ready for the real thing.”

The Red Cross regularly works with local communities and government agencies to fulfill their priority of increasing the nation’s capacity to respond to disasters.

“We strive to make sure the Red Cross is always at the table when we engage in disaster preparation because the assistance they provide is so valuable,” Oxarart said.

Morse attended the event to learn from and connect with the local governments that the Red Cross assists in times of crisis.

“Understanding the scope of what the Red Cross is authorized to do and when we lean on others can be very helpful,” she said. “I would encourage all Red Cross volunteers to participate in these types of training events.”

Washoe County and the rest of Northern Nevada relies on the Red Cross to aid in natural disasters, often situations that require evacuation and setting up shelters.

“Making sure Red Cross volunteers participate in these exercises is key to ensuring that more and more people are prepared for these very serious issues that can strike our community at any time,” Oxarart said.

Download our apps. Download the free Red Cross Emergency App to receive emergency alerts and information about what to do in case of a disaster, as well as locations of shelters. The Red Cross First Aid App puts information in your fingertips on how to help. Users can find all of the Red Cross apps in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.

About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on Twitter at @RedCross.