Tacoma Water exercises Incident Command muscle memory through live spill drill

It’s common knowledge that exercise is important for physical health, and mental stimulation is vital to keep the brain fit. Organizations need to stay fit by exercising the resources critical to their success, much like individuals. On June 15, over 25 staff from the Tacoma Water Green River Filtration Facility completed a spill drill to exercise their response and Incident Command capabilities for protecting our drinking water supply from the Green River. The scenario included a vehicle accident with multiple injuries, a fuel spill in the Green River above our drinking water supply intake, and an employee injury during the response. Employees from three sections comprised of Watershed Services, Source Water Treatment & Maintenance, and Construction completed the drill with Water Safety, Emergency Management and Phoenix Protective. This live drill included establishing an Incident Command Center, deploying a spill boom in front of the intake, and multiple scenes requiring response and coordination. An After-Action Review identified areas for improvement, and staff created a plan to follow up on them. Senior Environmental Specialist Doug Blanchard drafted and led the scenario, and Jarrod Kaiser held the Incident Command position to lead the response. Repeating similar exercises condition the organization and ensure its fitness and capacity when it matters most.

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act but a habit.” —Aristotle