R7 Active Shooter FEMA VTTX

​On January 12, 2016 Region 7 Healthcare Coalition hosted a FEMA Virtual Tabletop Exercise (VTTX) with the focus on an active shooter scenario in a school setting. 

The VTTX was held at the Gaylord University Center and was well attended by a variety of personnel from hospitals, health departments, health clinics, MI-VDF, and local fire departments. The national tabletop exercise was provided to the Region by the FEMA Emergency Management and Training Division via live, televised camera feed.

The purpose of this virtual tabletop exercise was to prepare participants for an active shooter situation affecting their community. Key components of preparedness for this type of situation included assessment of emergency response and recovery capabilities. When responding to an emergency, effective coordination needs to take place between local and State government, federal and tribal agencies, NGOs, and the private sector. The VTTX gave personnel from these agencies an opportunity to review their coordination skills and abilities and gain a greater understanding in creating and utilizing policies, plans, and procedures in an active shooter scenario.
Participants were able to share real-time preparedness, response, and recovery solutions with agencies within and outside of Region 7 and the State of Michigan, while making each other aware of their  plans and response capabilities.