Just before the start of the 2012 Atlantic Hurricane Season on June 1, the Florida Division of Emergency Management (DEM) Response Team will host the Statewide Hurricane Exercise.
The Hurricane Exercise will be held on Monday, May 21, through Thursday, May 24 at the State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee.
The purpose of the exercise is to practice Florida’s emergency plans and procedures for a potential hurricane making landfall in the state. Along with federal, local and private-sector partners, DEM will simulate emergency response efforts to manage an evolving hurricane scenario.
The 2012 Statewide Hurricane Exercise will center on the fictitious tropical system, Hurricane Gispert, named in honor of former Hillsborough County Emergency Management Director Larry Gispert. The scenario includes the fabricated storm making landfall in Florida in the Tampa Bay area during a special event with increased population.
With start of the hurricane season in two weeks, families and businesses are urged to prepare and follow the instructions of local officials if a hurricane threatens your community by knowing the nearest shelter, making an evacuation plan and having a disaster supply kit.
For more information on the Florida Division of Emergency Management and to GET A PLAN!, please visit: www.FloridaDisaster.org. Follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/flsert and on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/FloridaSERT.
