Exercise Prepares Community for Winds of Fury
Severe weather can form tornadoes in the blink of an eye. Just 30 miles away on February 19, 2009, Thomasville was impacted by an EF2 tornado. In 2011, hundreds of tornados tore swaths through Alabama, and this past Sunday, Hattiesburg, Miss., was hit by a tornado that is believed to have been a mile wide. Compounding the clean-up efforts there are the continuing rain and flooding. Government and relief agencies constantly train to ensure a state of readiness is in place for events of this nature. In the case of a widespread event, however, it is important for individuals and neighborhoods to also have plans in place specific to their needs, as outside relief may take some time to reach them.
To help neighborhood leaders and residents learn how to respond to a tornado, the City of Tallahassee’s Emergency Management Division, in partnership with the American Red Cross, Community Organization Active In Disasters (COAD), 2-1-1 Big Bend, the National Weather Service, the Tallahassee Fire Department and Tallahassee Police Department, is hosting a training exercise on Saturday, February 23, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Tallahassee Fire Department Training Center, located at 2964 Municipal Way (corner of Municipal Way and Appleyard Drive).
During the exercise, participants will be able to ask questions and gain a thorough understanding of how prepared their organization, agency or neighborhood is for a tornado. They will also work on establishing a plan to guide them through the process of responding to meet the disaster caused needs of community residents.
To take part in the February 23 event, all participants must register individually at www.formidablefootprint.org.
For families who might not be able to attend, there’s a new web-based game you can play in the comfort of your home! Disaster Hero is designed to teach families how to prepare for all types of hazards or emergencies. It was released in late January by the American College of Emergency Physicians and developed as part of a grant administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The game is geared to multiple audiences, including children, teens, parents, caregivers and teachers to focus on what to do before, during and after a disaster. It and the associated website emphasize having an emergency plan, getting an emergency kit and being informed. Players are encouraged to learn about the types of disasters that can occur in their geographic region or state.
For more information, go to www.disasterhero.com.
