BATTLE CREEK, Mich. –
Does each Defense Logistics Agency employee know what to do in the event of a fire? Is each staff member aware of the proper actions to take in the event of an active shooter in their facility?
DLA’s emergency managers work to prepare the agency workforce for these scenarios and more. Throughout the agency they work to ensure proper procedures are in place to mitigate the negative effects of events such as natural disasters and other emergency situations.
“We are multi-domain operations,” said Franklin Cornielle, the Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center’s emergency manager. “We [are responsible for] physical security, anti-terrorism and we have emergency management as well.”
The role this team plays within the agency is important, but Cornielle says it can sometimes go unseen until an emergency occurs.
“Emergency management is a position that nobody looks for until it's needed,” Cornielle said. “I really think that a big part of my job is to make those ‘what ifs’ a reality through exercises and making those exercises as real-world as possible. My job is to make sure that you know where all of the resources are and that you know what to do in case of emergency situations.”
Currently, the Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center emergency management team is working with local first responders and military personnel in preparation for a large-scale exercise. This exercise will test each unit’s ability to respond to an emergency event and coordinate information to the community.
Coordination for this exercise is still in the beginning phases and participants recently held a planning session during April’s National Preparedness Month. As the date approaches closer to the execution of this exercise, HDIFC’s team of emergency managers encourage everyone to familiarize themselves with safety protocols and to actively participate in the safety roles offered within the facility.
Those currently stationed within the HDIFC can volunteer as part of the medical response teams or to become fire wardens. In conjunction with these roles, employees are trained on CPR and given a basic understanding of automated external defibrillators in order to fulfill their duties.