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May 31 - June 1, 2008 – OEM conducted the HurrEx 2008 full-scale exercise at IS 187, the Christa McAuliffe School, in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, to test the shelter training component of the City’s Coastal Storm Plan (CSP). More than 115 players from 16 agencies underwent shelter management training and set up a shelter to receive 500 evacuees.

The scenario: A Category 2 hurricane is threatening to hit New York City. The New York State Department of Health has already begun to evacuate healthcare facilities in flood-prone areas. New York City has taken measures to evacuate the homebound population and those with special medical needs. The Mayor has issued an evacuation order for the City, which means that evacuation centers and shelters for Zone A and Zone B evacuation areas need to be staffed and opened. Workers have been notified to report to evacuation centers for further instructions and vendors have begun shipping supplies. It is time to prepare the evacuation centers and shelters to receive evacuees.

The exercise: In preparation for the arrival of hundreds of evacuees, OEM activated SAHANA, an emergency notification tool used to alert and track shelter personnel during an approaching storm. Shelter managers identified opportunities for specialization among the 115 players and divided them into groups for “just-in-time” training— video and instructor-led presentations on shelter management. Players who had experience working with seniors funneled into senior trainings, while players who had experience working with pets received training on pet sheltering.

Meanwhile, more than 50 volunteers from NYC’s Community Emergency Response Teams and the American Red Cross in Greater New York unloaded two large trucks stocked with emergency supplies including water, cots, blankets, medical supplies, and pet care items. The volunteers worked quickly and the shelter became operational ahead of schedule.

The HurrEx 2008 full-scale exercise preceded a larger regional exercise called Empire Express, sponsored by the New York State Office of Emergency Management. Empire Express included role-play by the Emergency Operations Centers (EOC) in Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties. New York City drilled its own EOC teams on the updated Coastal Storm Plan the following week.

The drill received international attention. Two members of Toronto’s Office of Emergency Management travelled to New York City to observe the drill and glean information about sheltering and mass care in urban environments.

A list of participants: