CUIMC EMOT Prepares for Disasters with Tabletop Exercise

CUIMC’s Emergency Management Operations Team (EMOT) recently held an emergency response and preparedness exercise. The purpose of the exercise was to simulate an emergency scenario for campus responders and key stakeholders to review and test both emergency response and communications protocols. The exercise comprised a real-world scenario with real-time and real-world discoveries that challenged our available personnel as well as our abilities to respond and communicate. 

Collectively speaking, CUIMC’s EMOT team is no stranger to emergency response. Over the years, our team members have faced winter weather emergencies, hazardous materials incidents, natural disasters, infrastructure failures, and major accidents. Whenever disaster strikes, the medical center’s Incident Command System goes into effect and our EMOT team come together to face whatever the challenge brings. 

The most important aspect of any preparedness exercise is what we collectively learn from it. Yvonne Wojcicki, executive director of Campus Life Safety and Regulatory Compliance and exercise organizer, shared, “These exercises remind us that emergency plans, procedures, and policies require frequent review and update as they age out quickly. Issues identified during these exercises help us further our awareness of threats and strengthen our overall incident preparedness.”  

Patrick Burke, interim vice president for Facilities Management, also highlighted the importance of regular emergency management drills. “The knowledge, insight, and experience of our EMOT members and their respective teams is incredible. Witnessing how this exercise encouraged critical thinking and helped clarify roles  and responsibilities was incredibly rewarding; our collective participation and dedication reinforces our ability to support the medical center in emergency situations.” 

Wojcicki concurred and praised the exercise’s participants. “[EMOT] is an incredible team!” 

Learn more about CUIMC EMOT and ways you can prepare for emergency situations.