Hurricane rehearsal gets senior leader review

By Sgt. 1st Class Christopher DeHartApril 9, 2012

Partners
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – William Carwile III, associate administrator for Operations, Response and Recovery, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Richard Chavez, director, Operations, Coordination and Planning, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, discuss some of the fe... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Panel
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas " Air Force Gen. Craig McKinley (center left), chief, National Guard Bureau, addresses the hurricane preparedness conference members as Gen. Charles Jacoby Jr., commander, North American Defense Command and U.S. Army Northern ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas (April 6, 2012) -- On Day 3, not one, but two hurricanes struck in separate locations on the U.S. Florida coast and the southernmost tip of Texas. The potential impending damage to homes and businesses, and loss of life and injury, loom high on the list of projected consequences these storms may bring.

However, since these major weather threats are confined to a scenario generated for the 2012 Army North/Joint Force Land Component Command Interagency Hurricane rehearsal, everything that could happen is simulated -- this time.

The hurricane response drill, which was conducted here April 3-5, has allowed leaders from the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Northern Command, U.S. Army North, the National Guard Bureau and many others to unite and evolve their plans and practices to prepare for the upcoming 2012 hurricane season.

"I just want to thank each of you for attending and for your efforts and determination to make this a successful and productive event for everyone involved," said Lt. Gen. William Caldwell IV, commanding general, U.S. Army North, and senior commander, Fort Sam Houston and Camp Bullis.

Day 3 was the final day of the drill, and all the participating agencies and their representatives completed their actions for the final phase of the scenario. A panel of senior interagency civilian leaders and military officers provided critical feedback and praise for all those who had a part in coming together for this event.

With so many people participating in such a large and complex environment, all had one major goal and focus to keep in front of them -- to work together to ensure each of their respective organizations are able to better meet the needs of those affected by potential disasters such as this.

Several of the officials talked about how the groups' approach during this exercise -- thinking big, going fast, going big and going smart -- certainly reflect some of the things they discussed here. The framework is actually going to be clarifying for all of us as it shows that just because this is an event that requires a federal response; it is not a DOD response or a DOD-funded response. Several participants said the mission responsibilities and expectations for all players in this integrated response were clearly defined.

"I want to tell you how much I appreciate the opportunity for Health and Human Services to be here to work with our partners," said Tom Sizemore III, principal deputy director, Preparedness and Emergency Operations, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. "One of the things we've done is really look at how we can narrow down our response so we that can modularize our assets allowing us to get there quickly and relatively light but still have capability on the ground to see patients."

"As we work with the states and our emergency coordinators to make sure we are integrated with the states' plans, we look forward to working with all of you during this upcoming hurricane season. We realize that if it turns out to be tougher than what we predicted in the weather, we'll be in it together," he said.

Another aspect discussed was the maturity and progress made in integrating federal agencies with those at the state and local levels and how much more focused and smooth it has become than in past events.

"I think you've hit all the key points and what I have seen, from my own observation, is that we have gone from 'it's not me, it's not me,' to the Department of Defense being an active participant and key partner in these responses," said Richard Chavez, director, Operations Coordination and Planning, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; who has 30 years experience working the same issues and plans for the Department of Defense. "We have more plans to go out there and do those types of things."

Nearly all the leaders present had the same comments to make on the cooperative effort put into the rehearsal -- that everyone was focused on working together and streamlining the processes needed to accomplish the mission, mitigate damages and save lives wherever needed.

"This was a great effort here. I appreciate everybody that worked hard to put this together," said Gen. Charles Jacoby Jr., commanding general, U.S. Army Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command. "It's interesting to me. I go to strategic seminars with the chairman and all the COCOMs, and we stand out on a map about this size of the world and fight the away game -- and this is very much fighting the home game -- and fighting the home game with our allies. It's got to be done."

One of the primary focal points for the gathered partners centered on the potential stresses involved with limited resources for both homeland and overseas operations.

An analogy by Jacoby is that whatever the importance of the "away" game, the expectation of our citizens is that they are going to win the "home" game.

"I will tell you is we are going to continue working on (balancing resources), but what we are not going to do is fail in doing our mission together," he said. "I appreciate all of our partners who are here today."

The group consisted of other top officials and leaders, such as Air Force Gen. Craig McKinley, chief, National Guard Bureau, Navy Adm. John Harvey Jr., commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Lt. Gen. William Ingram Jr., director, Army National Guard, to name just a few.

Among the partner agencies and collaborating nations were: Laurence Broun,

director for Emergency Management Office of Law Enforcement & Security, U.S. Department of the Interior; Michael Lowder, director, Office of Intelligence, Security and Emergency Response, U.S. Department of Transportation; Todd Rosenblum, principal deputy assistant secretary, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense & Americas' Security Affairs.

Other participants included Canadian Lt. Gen. Walter Semianiw, commander, Canada Command; Commander Mark Byrd, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region IV regional emergency coordinator, U.S. Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and many more.

Related Links:

Hurricane season arrives, requires preparation

Army.mil: Humanitarian Relief - Hurricanes

U.S. Army North