Fellow veterans!  If and when we're called for help...   - Rich Woldt

Attention Wisconsin veterans! The gas explosions in Ellison Bay, Wisconsin appear to be over and the Incident Commander (Chris Hetch) indicated he'll be releasing resources. Congratulations Door County fire fighters, law enforcement, and Emergency Government for a job well done. Thank you Wisconsin veterans for the role you played during this international incident. I've received comments from around the world. 

While it might be time to stand-down and regroup, it's also time to remain vigilant and prepare reinforcements incase we're hit by another disaster (tornado, gas explosion, wild fire, toxic spill, terrorist attack, etc.). Experience has taught us that terrorists target already stressed communities, using disasters to trigger attacks where resources have been depleted. Their goal is to spread panic, traumatize victims, and benefit from an already in place global media blitz. 

If the Ellison Bay incident had gone past 14 days, there had been more explosions or escalation in "scope creep," we would have automatically surveyed Wisconsin veterans and created a data base of resources for the Incident Commander. Remember, we're in the middle of our tourist season, our first responders need a rest, and we're already attracting international attention. I think it's prudent at this time to survey veterans, identify potential reinforcements, and write an incident action plan we can implement if the tide turns back to a crisis situation requiring mass evacuations. 

Please click here and log in through our survey of veteran resources. Note you don't have to be a veteran or live in Wisconsin to help.

Issued Day Three (3)---Fellow Door County veterans! Our Door County fire fighters, law enforcement, emergency government, Red Cross, hospitals,  EMTs, business associations, and citizens continue to do an excellent job responding to and recovering from the explosions in Ellison Bay. We can be extremely proud of Fire Chief Chris Hecht as he continues to take command and control of this life threatening, community wide, level two incident. A level two incident is one that can be handled by professional first responders, mutual aid agreements, and local residents. In my opinion, this incident will move to level three if there is another explosion, if gas pockets are discovered outside the current incident perimeter, or its duration exceeds 14 days. At that time, the Incident Commander may need to identify reinforcements to support his Chief of Operations.

Door County veterans represent a pool of trained military professionals who've been tested under fire and stand ready to respond through an established chain of command. We need to designate our Incident Commander and "unified" command structure, become mission ready, and inventory our potential response personnel and recovery assets for the Ellison Bay Incident Commander.

Caution!  The role veterans play during this or any future incidents must only be under the expressed direction and control of the Incident Commander. Unless otherwise told, the Incident Commander is always the local Fire Chief. The reason for this has to do with laws that hold municipalities responsible for all response and recovery efforts. Failing to respond under the direction and control of the Incident Commander can endanger recovery personnel, frustrate the recovery process, and expose you to personal liability for your actions.  For additional information, refer to my white papers on Katrina best and worst practices and Incident Command System tutorials.    

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