Picatinny establishes task force for future emergencies in wake of Hurricane Sandy

By Picatinny Arsenal Public Affairs OfficeNovember 21, 2012

Picatinny Arsenal damage from Hurricane Sandy 1 of 5
1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Fallen trees and downed power lines at Picatinny Arsenal, N.J., in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy mirrored destruction elsewhere in New Jersey and in the region. Against the backdrop of the devastation from Hurricane Sandy, a task force has been es... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Picatinny Arsenal damage from Hurricane Sandy 5 of 5
2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Strong and persistent winds broke this tree at Picatinny Arsenal, N.J., in half. Against the backdrop of the devastation from Hurricane Sandy, a task force has been established at Picatinny Arsenal to collect lessons learned so that the installation ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Picatinny Arsenal damage from Hurricane Sandy 4 of 5
3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Fallen trees created widespread problems during and after the hurricane. A tree felled by Hurricane Sandy blocked a road and took down power lines nearby. Against the backdrop of the devastation from Hurricane Sandy, a task force has been established... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Picatinny Arsenal damage from Hurricane Sandy 3 of 5
4 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Utility crews and other responders near a fallen tree that took down power lines on Picatinny Arsenal, N.J. Against the backdrop of the devastation from Hurricane Sandy, a task force has been established at Picatinny Arsenal to collect lessons learne... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Picatinny Arsenal damage from Hurricane Sandy 2 of 5
5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lack of power and scarcity of gasoline presented daunting challenges to the workforce and managers. Against the backdrop of the devastation from Hurricane Sandy, a task force has been established at Picatinny Arsenal, N.J., to collect lessons learned... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. (Nov. 21, 2012) -- Against the backdrop of the devastation from Hurricane Sandy, a task force has been established at Picatinny Arsenal to collect lessons learned so that the installation and its workforce can be better prepared for the next disaster.

"We are looking for those things we did well and more importantly those things we can improve on," Picatinny Senior Commander Brig. Gen. John McGuiness said in an email message to the Picatinny workforce.

McGuiness named Col. Steve Cummings, the garrison chief of staff and project manager for Close Combat Systems, to lead the task force, which will produce an after-action report due Feb.1, 2013.

In his message, McGuiness praised personnel from the garrison, Emergency Operations Center, or EOC, and organizational representatives who worked at the EOC during the height of disaster.

"They did a great job gaining control of the situation on post and working the priorities so that we could restore power and repair the damages so that we could open," McGuinessl said. "They did this at their own personal sacrifice, in some cases not knowing what the condition their own homes were in."

Hurricane Sandy's rain and winds left widespread destruction that also caused extensive power outages and gasoline shortages in the area.

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