The peak of hurricane season is right around the corner, and state officials, utility companies and private sector partners have spent the past two days focusing on emergency preparation in a drill coordinated by Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
"What we learned is in the absence of a statewide drill every year is that people get rusty and they forget," said Gov. Dannel Malloy.
The governor has implemented yearly drills, and utility companies are making sure they're part of the plan.
"They are far more responsive, far more aware of the role they play," said Malloy.
Today, he and several agencies gathered in Milford, a place with a lot of experience when it comes to hurricanes.
"These exercises, I think, are extremely important, and I think we learned with five natural disaster declarations by the president in a relatively short period of time," said Malloy.
The state's Urban Search and Rescue traveled from place to place so teams could see what resources they have and understand what they can do to help.
"This is a good refresher to keep in mind what is out there for us to ask for," said Milford Fire Captain Greg Carman.
The focus on preparedness didn't stop with hurricanes. Police, fire and hazmat crews headed to Hartford's West Street Post Office on Saturday, practicing their responses to a potential chemical attack.
The drills allow the state to improve its response for disasters they hope never arrive.
"We're planning for the worst, hoping for the best. That's what we do," said Malloy.
