Somerset County Hosts Public Health Emergency Preparedness Tabletop Exercise

On Thursday, October 8, 2026, more than 50 professionals from across Somerset County gathered at the Somerset County Emergency Services Training Academy in Hillsborough for a Public Health Emergency Preparedness Tabletop Exercise. 

The discussion‑based simulation—designed to mirror a real emergency without activating actual response operations—offered agencies the opportunity to test plans, validate capabilities, clarify roles, and identify areas for improvement.

Participants represented a wide range of disciplines, including public health, emergency management, human services, public information, hospitals, urgent care centers, EMS, law enforcement, hazmat teams, and other first responder agencies. 

The exercise encouraged open dialogue among partners, reinforcing Somerset County’s commitment to coordinated, community‑focused emergency preparedness.

“When it comes to emergency preparedness, it's not just about writing a plan and putting something into action,” said Lisa Werner, Coordinator and Director of the Somerset County Office of Emergency Management. 

“It's about actually walking through and testing that plan. The best‑laid plans go into action, and sometimes they fall apart. When we do tabletops like this, the whole purpose is to identify if it works. And if it doesn’t, we figure out where the gaps are and fix them. If and when an emergency occurs, we’re better prepared for our residents.”

Tabletop exercises like this one allow agencies to evaluate response strategies, strengthen relationships with community partners, and document corrective actions through a post‑exercise evaluation. Improvements identified during the session will help refine countywide preparedness efforts and enhance coordination during future emergencies.

This exercise was supported by funds from the New Jersey Department of Health.

To learn more about Somerset County’s emergency preparedness resources, visit: https://www.somersetcountynj.gov/.../disaster-health.

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