Maine Emergency Management/National Guard exercise on campus in November

This week, more than 180 representatives from the U.S. Northern Command, New England National Guard Units, Maine Emergency Management Agency and other local, state and federal emergency preparedness groups were on campus for a two-day conference focused on improving communication and operational relationships in the event of a domestic crisis. Nationally, the Vigilant Guard program is an annual interagency training exercise designed to establish and reinforce relationships to support the needs of citizens during domestic emergencies.

The conference, Aug. 20-21 in Wells Conference Center, was in preparation of a series of disaster scenarios planned statewide in November. One of the key mock training scenarios will occur on campus.

Nov. 5-6, the University of Maine will participate in a New England Vigilant Guard exercise designed to simulate emergency scenarios and practice the emergency response plans. UMaine’s key role in the statewide, two-day exercise will be to host an emergency response team from the New England region National Guard Unit and Orono Fire Department, and activate the university’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

Note: The campus-based Vigilant Guard exercise will involve a simulated emergency at Holmes Hall, requiring some rerouting of vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

For more information on the Vigilant Guard exercise planned for November, contact Dr. Wayne M. Maines, UMaine’s director of safety and environmental management, 581.4055.