Preparation for wind, weather emergencies during RAGBRAI...

Wednesday, May 25, a tabletop exercise was hosted by Allamakee Public Health (Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care) at the Waukon Fire Station involving a presentation by John Carter of Emergency Preparedness Consulting, LLC that centered around being prepared for a wind/tornado event occurring during the July 30 final day of RAGBRAI XLIX that will make its way through Allamakee County. In addition to Public Health, entities involved in the preparedness event included Allamakee Emergency Management Agency, Allamakee County law enforcement, Allamakee County E-911, Veterans Memorial Hospital, City of Waukon, Alliant Energy, Allamakee-Clayton REC, City of Postville, area long-term care facilities, Lansing RAGBRAI Committee, Waukon Fire Department and Allamakee Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

Each entity involved was able to discuss plans and protocols their agency would follow in the event of such a weather occurrence. The exercise allowed for discussion to find areas of strength and areas to improve on. Allamakee Emergency Management Agency, Allamakee Public Health and Allamakee Preparedness Coalition work with other county entities such as fire departments, EMS and long-term care facilities to develop drills to continually improve the care and safety provided to Allamakee residents and visitors. Allamakee Public Health is part of a 14-county coalition that centers around Preparedness in all forms, from weather events to pandemics and everything in between. Standard photo by Joe Moses.