Little Rock Air Force Base uses new ERT during MARE

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  • By 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. --  During the recent Major Accident Response Exercise, July 24, 2013, Little Rock Air Force Base tested a revolutionary new Emergency Response Tool that could increase the efficiency of first responders and enhance the base's ability to respond to disasters in the future.

The base did not have a virtual common operating picture (COP) prior to receiving the ERT. Hard copy maps were being used instead. Updating those maps was very expensive. It required man hours, and a lot of paper and ink, so using the ERT saves the base and the Air Force time and money said Valerie Daniels, 19th Civil Engineering Squadron GeoBase program manager.

Daniels said, the ERT is a web-based interactive tool overlying a Geospatial Information System Map enabling users to "edit" and "view" a common operating picture an of exercise or real world incidents.

"The ERT empowers our team to operate in a more effective and efficient manner while providing the Crisis Action Team, Emergency Operations Center, Unit Control Centers and Group Control Centers a visual comprehension as the incident evolves," said Daniels. "Practicing, (during exercises), will make us better able to respond to real-world incidents."

During the exercise, the ERT was loaded on Elitebooks and allowed the incident commander to visualize the best solutions to control the situation, said Daniels.

After determining the scenario for this exercise, a virtual picture of the situation was built, viewed by Don Smart, 19th CES fire chief, and within 5 minutes, was published based on incident commander approval.

Publication of the detailed map allowed all responders with computer capability to see where traffic and entry control points were, safe routes for evacuation, and even the direction the wind was blowing. It also provided faster identification of buildings to shelter in place.

The ERT operates in real time; it updates the COP as the events in the exercise occur.

The exercise flowed faster and smoother based on situational awareness provided by the COP, said Daniels. She also said the communication process was clear and expedited due to this tool. Emergency responders were able to make decisions based on the map the incident commander approved, ensuring safety of base personnel and a coordinated response.

During a real-world emergency, Daniels said she is certain this capability will save lives.

"I am looking forward to using and sharing this tool and its success story with other military installations, improving for future exercises and/or real world events," said Daniels.