cresa1Taxpayers benefit when public agencies work together; and that’s what happened in February when the Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA) held two days of in-service training at the Port of Vancouver USA. While at the port, CRESA staff received an overview of the port’s various terminals, berths and cargoes from port General Manager of Operations Mike Schiller. CRESA staff then boarded a bus for a tour of the port which included a walk-through of the main security gate. Once back at the port’s administrative office, the group received an in-depth review of all port gates and emergency procedures from the port’s chief of security, Renee Shanholtzer, and the port’s security supervisor, Mike Kesler. Following the trainings, Will Rust, CRESA’s training and quality assurance manager, reported that the 9-1-1 dispatchers felt it was tremendously helpful to visit the port, where they could see firsthand all the different entrances, exits, buildings and roadways that are included in the port’s 2,000-plus acres. Rust commented that this will be of tremendous value in the event emergency responders are dispatched to the port. Another benefit of the training was a commitment by both parties to continue their efforts to create even greater understanding and cooperation between the two organizations. The port truly appreciates the vital role CRESA plays in our community, providing reliable 9-1-1 call-taking and dispatch, regional public safety radio, emergency management, and emergency medical services oversight; and we look forward to our continued partnership.