On August 22, 2025, the Northeast Florida Regional Council hosted a multi-agency tabletop exercise titled “Operation Frozen Summer” in Jacksonville, Florida. This discussion-based exercise was designed to enhance emergency preparedness and response capabilities for a hazardous materials incident at a cold storage facility.
The event brought together key stakeholders, including Sysco International Foods, the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD), and its hazardous materials teams, as well as environmental response partners. Participants navigated a progressively complex scenario, starting with an internal facility issue and culminating in a coordinated, multi-agency response that involved public protective actions for the surrounding community.
Over the course of three hours, the exercise focused on several critical objectives:
- Establishing a unified command structure
- Enhancing communication and notification procedures
- Developing strategies to protect both employees and the public
Interactive mapping exercises added realism, enabling participants to visualize protective zones, staging areas, and the community's impact, thereby fostering informed decision-making.
By practicing these essential skills in a no-fault, collaborative environment, Operation Frozen Summer reinforced the strength of Jacksonville’s emergency response partnerships and improved the region’s readiness to manage complex hazardous materials incidents.
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