Feb 22, 2007 10:45 am US/Eastern
NORTHCOM: We're Better Prepared For Hurricanes
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AP) ―
Military leaders huddled with civilian responders Wednesday to make sure they are prepared for the 2007 hurricane season and said they are in better shape now than ever before to respond to requests for help.
The U.S. Northern Command, National Guard officers from hurricane-prone states, Federal Emergency Management Agency officials and others met at Northern Command headquarters, discussing their capabilities and trying to identify any gaps in planning or preparedness.
The meeting, similar to the first one held a year ago, was called "so the day we need it isn't the day we are learning to talk to each other," said Glenn Cannon, director of FEMA's response division.
The federal government -- FEMA in particular -- came under harsh criticism for its response to the devastation caused by hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005.
"We believe we are a lot better prepared to face the hurricane season than in the past," said Maj. Gen. Terry Scherling, director of the National Guard Bureau's Joint Staff.
Scherling cited new equipment that allows National Guard troops tocommunicate more easily with civilian responders.
Maj. Gen. Charles Rodriguez, adjutant general of the Texas National Guard, cited the development of "pre-scripted mission assignments" detailing agencies' responsibilities after a disaster.
On Wednesday, military and civilian responders reviewed those assignments to identify shortfalls in capabilities such as aviation, transportation or medical facilities.
"We're down at the rolled-up sleeves level now," Rodriguez said. "We don't know what's going to hit or what shape it's going to take, but it's possible to plan for a lot of likelihoods and adapt."
Maj. Gen. Mark Bowen, adjutant general of the Alabama National Guard, said simply having National Guard and regular military leaders meet periodically will help speed disaster responses.
"We're able to handle most of the hurricane response with the National Guard," he said. "With Katrina ... you realized you may have the need for more than that. Northern Command puts that together."
Northern Command is responsible for defending Alaska, the continental United States, Canada, Mexico and the surrounding waters and airspace and for responding to natural disasters.
Within 24 hours, Northern Command can provide equipment such as helicopters, airplanes, communications facilities and medical supplies, officials said. But under federal law, the military has to wait for state officials to call for help.
In the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, military crews flew search-and-rescue missions into stricken Gulf states and provided other aid as well.
Officials said more than 50,000 National Guard and 20,000 active-duty troops supported disaster-relief efforts along the Gulf Coast. Among other efforts, they helped deliver water, ice, first-aid supplies and food.
Colorado State University forecasters William Gray and Philip Klotzbach have predicted above-average activity in the hurricane season that begins June 1. Their preliminary forecast called for three major hurricanes with winds of 111 mph or greater, with a 64 percent chance that one of those storms will make landfall.
Overall, Gray and Klotzbach predicted there will be 14 named storms in 2007, including seven hurricanes.
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