Island Evacuation Drill October 2, 2024

The Fishers Island Fire Department’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) held an Emergency Evacuation Drill on Wednesday, October 2, 2024.

This evacuation drill occurs within an eight-year cycle to be prepared in the event of a catastrophic hazard at the Dominion Energy Millstone Power Station in Waterford, CT. It involves evacuating island residents and visitors and taking them via a Fishers Island Ferry to Stonington, CT, for further transportation to Windham, CT, and out of harm’s way. During the drill, the emergency responders can evaluate various circumstances and scenarios and show participants what might happen in a real, albeit highly unlikely, situation.

During the drill and the meetings preceding it, CT DEMHS Program Supervisor Stephen Henrick explained, “The drill is a condensed version of an actual evacuation, as a nuclear emergency unfolds over days or even weeks, giving far more than just a few hours to complete an evacuation.”

This was the first such drill since 2015, and it was directed by Connecticut’s Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (CT DEMHS), Dominion Energy, and the Fishers Island Fire Department‘s Emergency Operations Center (FIFD EOC). These were joined by personnel from FEMA; Dominion’s Millstone plant; Department of Emergency Management (DEM) Suffolk County, NY: CT REP, and other NY and CT emergency responders. 

In preparation for this actual drill, the Fishers Island Fire Department’s EOC participated in a multi-town practical drill June 4 with FEMA and Dominion reps on the Island. It also participated in a tabletop drill in September, again with Mike Caplet, Regional Coordinator for DEMHS Region 4; DEMHS Program Supervisor Stephen Henrick, and Dominion/Millstone’s Daniel Casey, meeting at the Firehouse to go over the specifics of the October 2 exercise.

During the exercise, participants from Connecticut boarded the M/V Munnatawket in New London. FIFD emergency personnel, Island evacuation volunteers, the Suffolk County DEC and Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department officers checked in at the Fishers Island Ferry dock at 9:00 AM. They joined the passengers as the ferry departed Fishers Island at 9:30 AM for Stonington Borough.

Upon arrival in the Borough, the ferry side was removed, the ramp installed and all disembarked the boat. Time was spent ashore learning about the evacuation process, meeting Connecticut responders and having questions answered. Lunch was provided by Millstone and the ferry returned to Fishers by 12:45 PM.

Fishers Island Fire Department’s Emergency Management Team: Emergency Management Director of Fishers EOC John Bergquist with Ken Ahman, Andrew Ahrens, Chris Aiello, Courtney Allan, Joe Brock, Tracy Brock, Matt Edwards, Harrison Hall, Dirk Harris, George Horning, Bruce Hubert, Porfirio Rodriguez, Ian Tirabassi, and Patty Walker.

Questions regarding the drill may be directed to John Bergquist or Rod Rodriguez using their contact information below.

Photo Credit: Jane Ahrens

For more photos, please visit fishersisland.net