FORT RUCKER, Ala.--June 1 marked the beginning of the 2009 hurricane season, and with safety at the center of the garrison mission, officials here met for a hurricane emergency table-top exercise that same day.
Garrison Commander Col. Yvette Kelley said, "We conduct this exercise annually to review emergency policies and procedures and ensure all organizations understand their roles. With several recent changes of command, it is important that new players be familiar with our hurricane emergency operations."
By conducting periodic exercises such as this one, organization commanders and directors are better prepared when disaster strikes.
"Preparedness is the key," said Fort Rucker Emergency Operations Officer Maj. Michael Hughes.
"By regularly reassessing our readiness procedures, post organizations are more confident and effective when and if called upon to perform their respective crisis functions," Hughes added.
The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), defines a hurricane as a tropical cyclone, which generally forms in the tropics and is an intense weather system of strong thunderstorms with a well-defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 74 mph or higher.
NOAA forecasters say a near-normal Atlantic hurricane season is most likely this year. However, as with any season, the need to prepare for the possibility of a storm striking nearby is essential. Defining a normal season, forecasters added, there is a 70-percent chance of having nine to 14 named storms, of which four to seven could become hurricanes, including one to three major hurricanes.
Just as post senior leaders prepare themselves for disasters, so should each Soldier, Family member and employee.
Although it is unlikely Fort Rucker will experience a direct hit, storm remnants have historically caused thunder and lightning, torrential rains, flooding, power outages and conditions conducive to tornadoes.
Hurricane season runs through November. During hurricane season, local, state and federal agencies coordinate readiness and preparedness efforts across the region.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) stated, "(We) continue to work with state, local and federal partners to increase preparedness and coordinate response and recovery in the case of a hurricane or disaster. FEMA also urges Americans to use the annual start of hurricane season as a reminder to assess personal readiness to respond to emergencies."
"We strongly encourage all Fort Rucker community members to evaluate their personal and Family emergency preparedness plans. Ready Army is a comprehensive resource for emergency preparedness, and is available on the installation Web site at www.rucker.army.mil. Ready Army also provides valuable preparedness information, including weather updates, how to prepare a Family Emergency Plan and local emergency contacts," Kelley said.
"The command information television Channel 6 and radio AM1640 broadcast constant updates, and are the official source of post emergency weather information," she added.
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