-Joseph Trevathan
Objective , successes , and importance of the August 16 training exercise
“ The exercise was successful in testing the objectives we outlined . I was pleased to see the level of cooperation and interaction among all the agencies .”
-Joseph Trevathan
Chief , Customs and Border Protection
GEORGIA PORTS EXERCISE
Objective , successes , and importance of the August 16 training exercise
Story & Photography by : Brandy Mai
Georgia Ports Authority is the largest single-container terminal in North America , with immediate access to two major interstates and close proximity to Savannah , which is known for high volumes of tourists . Keeping the port safe is vital to Georgia and its citizens , which is why it ’ s imperative GPA and partner agencies create emergency plans and exercise them in case of a real-world incident .
One such exercise was held on August 16 after nearly a year of planning and brought together various agencies and organizations who have an interest in port security , such as Customs and Border Protection , U . S . Coast Guard , Chatham Emergency Management Agency , Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency , and others . The on-site functional exercise tested incident command system structure
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September 2018 and homeland security exercise and evaluation program principles .
“ We have a robust maritime system in Georgia , with unlimited potential for growth ,” said Captain Eric Hampton , Georgia Ports Authority Police and Emergency Manager . “ Our ports play a major role throughout the community , not just locally and across the state , but regionally as well . It ’ s important that we take every opportunity to partner with other agencies in the maritime community to safeguard this system .”
According to Hampton and Joseph Trevathan , Chief , Customs and Border Protection , the exercise was designed to test various objectives . The first objective was to gauge everyone ’ s ability to function in a unified command and increasing cooperation between the agencies who respond to port incidents . Further objectives were : ensuring incident response and cooperation
was consistent with National Incident Management System and Federal Emergency Management Agency guidelines ; guaranteeing each agency knew their areas of responsibility and stayed within policy , guidelines and their emergency management plans ; understanding how information would be shared surrounding any potential threats ; and lastly , testing how inaccurate information would be managed to ensure leaked information would not lead to a secondary crisis .
“ The exercise was successful in testing the objectives we outlined ,” said Trevathan , who also served as an exercise developer . “ I was pleased to see the level of cooperation and interaction among all the agencies .”
The collaborative partnerships brought together at the exercise exceeded jurisdictions and responsibilities , explained Scott Morse , port security specialist