Key Denver emergency officials will attend an intensive course this August at FEMA’s training center, in part to prepare for the 2008 Democratic National Convention and a fictional scenario involving mass casualties.
Mid- and upper-level managers from police, fire and emergency departments will join with locally based federal officials for a four-day Integrated Emergency Management Course sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Emmitsburg, Md.
“It couldn’t have happened at a better time,” said Justin DeMello, who directs Denver’s Office of Emergency Management. “It’s a fantastic opportunity … with enormous takeaways.”
DeMello applied for the program – paid for by FEMA – before the Democratic National Committee decided to hold its national convention Aug. 25-28 next year in the Mile High City. He said the training is meant to benefit the city far beyond convention preparation.
During the course, about 75 city and local officials will work through a series of differing and escalating emergencies, De Mello said. Educators hope to find and fill gaps in a city’s emergency response capabilities.
“You walk away with information on how you can improve,” Denver police spokesman Sonny Jackson said. “It’s a measuring stick.”
Cortez Lawrence, a professor of public policy who oversees the courses, said only about 14 cities win the chance each year to attend. The instruction and airfare alone run more than $60,000, and housing is provided at the facility.
FEMA officials have made visits to Denver to get an on-the- ground sense of the emergency infrastructure and to pore over a wide range of demographic information and response plans.
Lawrence said trainers take into account upcoming major events, such as national political conventions, which they have used as training models in the past.
The trainers then combine what they’ve learned about the specifics of a community and its emergency crews and create specific scenarios to challenge the responders.
DeMello said he was gratified that Denver won a chance to take the course on its first try, and Lawrence confirmed that Denver’s selection was significant.
“It’s not uncommon for a city to apply and not make it many times,” Lawrence said.
Last month, the Department of Homeland Security designated the convention as a National Security Special Event, which gives oversight authority for security at the convention to the Secret Service.
The FEMA course is separate from any training the Secret Service will conduct, a spokeswoman for the Secret Service said.
Staff writer Chuck Plunkett can be reached at 303-954-1333 or cplunkett@denverpost.com.
