DVIDS – News – Virtual flood control training organized for USACE office and field office flood teams

Twenty-six members of the US Army Corps of Engineers from the Chicago District participated virtually, in the office and in the field, in the flood control training that took place this month. Topics covered included the field reporting process and flood control techniques. Day one covered Upper Wabash in Indiana, and day two covered the Fox River Basin in Wisconsin.

“Our intention today is to take the training of our flood team and make sure that if and when a flood does occur, we are all on the same page,” said Bob Paluch, Head of Floods. emergencies on the first day of emergency operations. Center (COU). “We want to make sure everything is aligned and we work together to make sure everything runs smoothly. “

Those who attended the downtown Chicago office made their way to the EOC conference room, and those from the zone and field offices participated virtually in the presentations and questions and answers. At the start of this practical event, the EOC was at Level II, or full activation, in which a disaster declaration was signed; major flooding was occurring in the Fox River basin in Wisconsin; two separate flood teams were sent to the field to record the data; and requests for assistance have been received from states and counties.

Then, in the afternoon, team members from the area and field offices practiced collecting data in the field near their areas of responsibility using a GIS application called “ESRI Survey123 ”. The office team also helped coordinate and compile data for the end-of-day presentations to senior leaders in the EOC boardroom.

Emergency planner Michelle Kozak says the district has six flood control teams that cover six tributaries. And the teams are made up of engineers, GIS and field staff. People in the field reported to the EOC by phone and in writing via situation reports, Survey123 data, and daily reports that summarize each day’s events.

“Flood response crews covered the Fox River Basin in Wisconsin and Upper Wabash sites in Indiana during the two-day flood response training,” he said. she declared. “This practice allows teams in these particular locations to practice communicating with each other and with the EOC office team, and allows everyone to improve the Survey123 tool in the field.

The Fox-Wolf watershed in Wisconsin covers 6,430 square miles and includes the Wolf River; Upper Fox River; lakes Winnebago, Butte des Morts, Poygan and Winneconne; and 13 dams and 17 locks on the lower Fox River.

“The virtual training provided a much needed introduction between field staff and the district,” said Chad Shaw, Fox River chief operating officer. “In the event of a real flood control, we are now better prepared.”

Upper Wabash includes the JE Roush Dam, Mississinewa Dam, and Salamoni Dam.

“In 2015, the Upper Wabash Project received unprecedented rainfall in the watershed, setting record basin levels in two lakes and placing the third within inches of its record,” said Jared Mobley, director of office operations. of the Upper Wabash project. “The three lakes were staffed around the clock for six weeks. This training provided the team with valuable tools to ensure that we perform and communicate effectively at the next event.