Code Silver enhances medical readiness Published Nov. 29, 2006 By Tech. Sgt. M. Davis Public Affairs Vance Air Force Base, Okla. -- Thinking outside the box was a "must" during the innovative Code Silver exercise that provided medical planners and operators with a better understanding of the demands and requirements placed on them by chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and/or explosive incidents. During the two-day, tabletop exercise, emergency medical representatives from Vance Air Force Base and civilian organizations were asked to develop and express recommendations for response to CBRNE events. Since there was no predetermined outcome of the seminar, a facilitator was tasked to moderate the discussion and provide attendees with support materials covering a wide range of issues to stimulate progress toward solutions. Max Claypool, deputy director of consequence management and security with L3 Communications, was the facilitator during the seminar. L3 Communications was contracted by the Air Force to conduct the exercises. "We help installations identify gaps in planning, training, equipment as well as limiting factors with their current plans and think of new ways of bridging those gaps," he said. His organization also "helps people look at situations in depth, while incorporating integration between on- and off-base agencies within the city, county and state agencies." Last fiscal year, 45 installations participated in Code Silver which helped them deal with consequence management during chemical-biological environments complicated by mass causalities and other high tension factors. "Participants were able to see how their decisions and processes affected the response capability of other base functions," said Capt. Jacqueline Dent, 71st Medical Group medical readiness officer. "Overall, our processes are very good. However, the seminar identified those areas where more detailed instructions would be advisable. It also highlighted our limitations and encouraged us to review available resources -- both military and civilian." The seminar helped bring agencies together to fine tune overlapping areas, said Desiree Powell, disaster preparedness coordinator at Integris/Bass Hospital. "It was very beneficial to work together before there is an emergency. There were some things we are hoping to improve upon in our checklists," she said. "It was also good to network and put faces with names." Captain Dent agreed. "We have to depend on higher headquarters and our civilian counterparts to provide assistance," she explained. "It is imperative to have existing processes in place to allow Vance AFB and civilian authorities to work together effectively."