Citywide disaster preparedness drill improves readiness City staff responded to a simulated “major earthquake” on the morning of Tuesday, April 25 in the first of what will become a series of drills and exercises designed to sharpen the city’s ability to respond in an actual disaster. Designed by Community Services Manager John Buck, with the assistance of the employee Emergency Management Committee, the half-day post-quake simulation involved nearly 120 city staff members from every city department and division. (Left: Logistics staff gather resources to respond to a simulated natural gas leak.) The Emergency Operations Center at city hall served as the hub of the exercise, under the direction of City Manager Howard Chambers. In a disaster, he becomes Lakewood’s EOC Director. (Right from top: City Manager Howard Chambers, Community Development Director Chuck Ebner and Vice Mayor Diane Dubois discuss drill issue, city crews inventory "damage" and locate problem areas, event coordinator John Buck in white observes finance staff reacting to drill challenges.) In the field, staff members from Public Works and Water Resources visited the locations of simulated incidents that included downed power lines, leaking water and gas mains, and damaged city buildings. The simulation also included tests of the city’s newest disaster information tools. The Tele-Works “reverse 911” call out system reached city staff members with a message to report for disaster duty. A simulated evacuation warning was prepared for a large block of homes in central Lakewood. (Left: Sonia Southwell of Community Development and Lakewood Sheriff's Department Sergeant Kit Armstrong use computer generated maps to respond to scenarios.) KLWD 1620 AM – the city’s disaster information radio service – broadcast a recorded test message to listeners. Lakewood Online and the city’s phone system also were mobilized to deliver emergency information. City Manager Chambers praised the impressive effort, but also warned that increased attention to disaster planning and response will be a part of the city’s annual work plan. “We’re going to make this kind of training routine,” he said, “because we need to be ready.”