Test of crisis response declared a success

If there’s a major emergency in Eastern Washington, public health and safety agencies are confident they will be able to communicate with one another.

A Homeland Security exercise Tuesday in Spokane tested the agency’s communications system.

Health and public safety agencies from 10 counties responded to a mock call requesting emergency resources, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Earl Howerton said. The purpose was to test communication systems across the 10 counties.

The forms of communication used included phones, e-mail, Internet sources, teleconferencing and radio communications, Howerton said. More than 50 people from 10 counties participated.

The exercise was a success with a few hitches, Howerton said. The problems that arose were outdated contact numbers and unanswered phones or other communication devices.