Residents of the city of Merrill may notice extra law enforcement, EMS, fire department and other agencies’ equipment and personnel on Saturday, May 14. A training exercise will be held during the day at the NTC Public Safety Center of Excellence and the Merrill Area Recreation Center.
The City of Merrill Fire Department, Merrill Police Department, Good Samaritan Hospital, Merrill and Tomahawk Emergency Medical Services, Tomahawk Fire Department, Corning Fire Department, Russell Fire Department, Pine River Fire Department, Lincoln County Emergency Management, Lincoln County Emergency Communications (9-1-1), and adjoining County Emergency Response agencies, along with personnel from the Wisconsin Emergency Management will be involved in this training exercise.
Planning for this training started in 2014. Two exercises have already taken place in preparation for this full-scale exercise. The exercise will be conducted in the morning at the NTC Public Safety Center of Excellence in Merrill and the Merrill Area Recreation Center with limited access to the areas involved in the training.
The exercise is used as a training session for all agencies, noted Lincoln County Emergency Management Director Jeff Kraft.
“Conducting these exercises is a tool to help emergency response teams put into practical use the skills they have acquired,” he said.
Upon completion of the exercise an evaluation will be given to all participants. The evaluations will then be collected and a report created and sent to all agencies on their performance. The evaluation will enable all involved to improve upon their policies, procedures and tactical operations.
If an emergency were to arise during the training period, the training will be suspended.
“Emergency Support Services of Lincoln County along with all the noted agencies above would like to thank the City of Merrill residents for their cooperation during this training exercise,” Kraft added.