EMS Coordinator Relays Events From Emergency Exercise in Ossian

Never wonder what you missed. Get local news delivered to your inbox. DECORAH & OSSIAN, Iowa — Winneshiek County emergency officials got a firsthand lesson in the challenges of coordinating a major emergency response during a full-scale exercise Aug. 5 in Ossian that simulated a train wreck and chemical leak. The exercise quickly exposed problems with radio communications at the Ossian fire station, where the county tested its response to a large-scale emergency. Sean Snyder, the county's emergency management coordinator, told the Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors Monday that the exercise brought together multiple agencies and local officials to test the county's response. A primary goal was to test communications and the county's emergency operations center, or EOC. "Within 30 seconds of starting the exercise, we had communication difficulties," Snyder said. The exercise was held at the Ossian fire station, a fully metal building that interfered with radio communications. After several attempts to establish a working connection inside, the dispatcher was moved outside and stationed in a vehicle in the parking lot. Officials were able to adapt, but the problem highlighted broader concerns about unreliable radio and communications coverage inside some buildings and areas of the county. "I think we learned a lot," Snyder said. "Did we check all the boxes? No, but I think we got a strong template moving forward." The exercise included multiple partner agencies and 11 area officials who observed the EOC portion. Snyder also tested the county's ability to coordinate an evacuation and other emergency operations. He said the county needs to develop a simple template for situations in which part of a community must be evacuated. The exercise also exposed limitations in the county's emergency operations setup. Winneshiek County does not maintain a permanent EOC, and Snyder said the last time he operated from a traditional facility was about 10 years ago. Since then, emergency operations have often been conducted from the back of his vehicle. That approach offers flexibility but can create challenges, particularly when communications problems occur at an emergency scene. Officials also discussed the limitations of radio repeaters, which can retransmit signals only when they are able to receive them. The supervisors' discussion included lessons learned from previous emergencies, including the 2016 flood and the recent Agri Star fire in Postville. Snyder said those incidents highlighted both operational and environmental concerns. Water used to fight an industrial fire can carry contaminants into surrounding areas, making early involvement by hazardous materials specialists important. He said the regional hazardous materials response team needs time to mobilize personnel and equipment, so requesting those resources early can prevent delays in monitoring and response. For the Aug. 5 exercise, the immediate lesson was straightforward: Emergency plans can encounter problems almost immediately, and officials need to be prepared to adapt. The radio failure at the Ossian fire station was not part of the exercise script, but it may have been one of the most useful lessons, giving the county a starting point for improving its emergency response procedures. From the big stories to the little moments, your support helps us cover it all.