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C. Exercise and Training Schedule A viable exercise program is an essential component of any effort to fully train emergency personnel for their duties and responsibilities when a disaster occurs. It is crucial that those individuals who are charged with responding to emergencies are required to "experience" a disaster under as realistic conditions as possible before any actual event. The purpose of exercising is to improve the preparedness posture of the organization(s) involved. This will result in the reduction of loss of life and property when a disaster occurs. In addition to county and municipal agencies, other agencies assigned responsibilities for the implementation of the CEMP will be invited and requested to participate in exercises. At the beginning of each year, emergency management staff will evaluate training and exercise opportunities. A training and exercise schedule will be developed annually. At a minimum, Indian River County will participate in the following annual exercises: Vero Beach Airport exercise, VOAD hurricane exercise, radiological exercise and the ESF coordination exercise. Additionally, Indian River County allows the use of our facility, staff and notification resources in support of inter -agency exercises. At the conclusion of each exercise, the emergency management director, or his designee will conduct a critique. During this critique, any shortcomings will be identified and steps will be taken by the emergency management director to correct the deficiencies and further refine the CEMP. D. Public Awareness and Education In order to better educate and inform the public of protective actions before a disaster occurs, public information is critical for saving lives and minimizing property damage. Certain responsibilities exist for public information when Emergency Management plans are implemented. Public actions may depend upon public information during the period before a disaster is imminent, in an actual or threatening emergency situation, and in the post - emergency recovery period. Pre -disaster education programs serve to increase awareness of Emergency Management programs, educate the public on ways to protect life and property, and inform the public on the availability of further assistance and information. Regularly scheduled press conferences will be identified during an event. The County Commission Chambers and the media room of the Emergency Operations Center have been identified as the locations for the mass media to gather. 2. The following radio and television stations have agreed to disseminate emergency information and participate in the local public emergency notification system in accordance with the Region 10 Emergency Alert System (EAS) Plan: Indian River County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan Basic Page 113