Military, civilian task forces prepare for active hurricane season Published June 17, 2010 By Robin DeMark 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Emergency response to natural disasters and major incidents remain a top priority for the Central Carolina Military-Civilian Task Force for Emergency Response at Fort Bragg. Representatives from Fort Bragg, Pope Air Force Base, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and neighboring counties met at the fort's Soldier Support Center to discuss the upcoming hurricane season June 8. "Current data trends forecast an active hurricane season this year," said Doug Haas, area coordinator for the North Carolina Department of Crime Control and Public Safety, Division of Emergency Management. "It's very important to let everyone know what preparations we're making at the state level and to understand the diverse challenges we face." The Atlantic basin seasonal hurricane forecast from Dr. William Gray at Colorado State University predicts that for 90 of the 163 days in the hurricane season, a named storm will be active. According to Mr. Haas, in addition to preparing for potential storms, the task force should consider other challenges that affect response efforts such as the economic budget, conflicts in the Middle East and educating citizens. "We also need to do more with less and ensure we use tax dollars for manpower and resources wisely while preparing families for emergencies," Mr. Haas said. "During this year's hurricane exercise, we looked at our resources and response capabilities for all of our State Emergency Response Team partners." Statewide accomplishments include implementing Voice Interoperable Plan for Emergency Responders, a communications system connecting local, state and federal responders. Other achievements include hazmat regional response teams, mobile pharmacies, animal response, urban search and rescue, helo-aquatic rescue and public health regional surveillance teams. "Using new Web-based tools, emergency responders can visually see what is happening throughout the state in real-time," Mr. Haas said. "We can make and track resource requests while working together to respond or maintain recovery efforts." "Communications and connectivity with our counterparts are critical to see where Fort Bragg stands with emergency response efforts and the state," said David Ice, emergency response manager at Fort Bragg. "Our military has to balance the operational tempo with our emergency response efforts. These meetings ensure we get situational awareness and stay ahead of emergency response initiatives." Regional MCTFERs build strong relationships between our military, county and city emergency service providers. Through preparation and planning, these teams help save lives, prevent human suffering and mitigate great property damage under imminently serious conditions. "Even though we are preparing for this hurricane season, we continue to train and maintain readiness to respond to all types of emergencies and that can be challenging in itself," said Dean DeMark, director of emergency services at Fort Bragg. For more information about the Central Carolina MCTFER, call Mr. DeMark at (910) 396-2703 or visit the following Web resources for emergency response preparedness in North Carolina: ReadyNC www.readync.org Ready Army www.ready.army.mil Federal Emergency Management Agency www.fema.gov NC Emergency Management and Regional Response Teams www.nccrimecontrol.org Public Health and Preparedness Response Teams www.epi.state.nc.us State Animal Response Teams http://nc.sartusa.org