A Successful Disaster Preparedness Exercise

John Murtagh, SCN Regional Security Advisor– Florida West Coast

Jewish Federation of Greater Naples recently hosted a highly successful tabletop exercise, bringing together multiple agencies under its umbrella to assess and strengthen their preparedness, planning, and recovery capabilities in the face of both natural and manmade disasters. This tabletop exercise was administered by Secure Community Network’s Director of Emergency Management, Murray Snow. The scenario-based exercise focused on two critical threats: hurricane response and recovery, and a manmade crisis involving civil disobedience and an active shooter.

Participants worked through complex scenarios, addressing key elements such as communication platforms essential before, during, and after a disaster. Agencies reviewed and refined their emergency plans and protocols, ensuring all partners understood their roles and responsibilities. Discussions also emphasized the expectations placed on organizations and their members when disaster strikes, reinforcing a culture of readiness and resilience.

Additionally, the exercise highlighted the vital role of first responders, with significant attention given to how the community can best support their efforts. By fostering cooperation and collaboration, participants explored strategies to streamline response efforts and enhance safety for all involved.

The exercise not only strengthened interagency coordination but also underscored Federation’s commitment to safeguarding its community. Through proactive planning and open dialogue, Jewish Federation of Greater Naples and Secure Community Network continue to lead by example in building a prepared and united community.

Join us for the next program, Personal Security Awareness, on Oct. 29 at 1:00 p.m. To register, use this link www.jewishnaples.org/PersonalSecurityAwareness.