Courtesy Photo | Rain clouds pass over Naval Hospital Pensacola during a storm. The hospital is...... read more read more
PENSACOLA, Fla. – Naval Hospital Pensacola is preparing for hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. From staff training to stocking extra supplies, NHP is taking a proactive step to ensure that the hospital will be ready if a hurricane impacts the area.
As part of hurricane preparation, NHP participated in the HURREX-Citadel Gale exercise. The HURREX is an annual exercise directed by U.S. Fleet Forces Command to provide afloat and shore-based commands an opportunity to exercise hurricane preparedness and installation restoration plans prior to the onset of hurricane season.
This year’s HURREX involved three artificially constructed tropical cyclones that developed and intensified to hurricane strength along the U.S. East Coast, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Coastal Regions.
“The HURREX drill helps us train,” said Capt. Christopher Quarles, executive officer, NHP. “It is a way to orientate new staff to our hurricane plan and practice our procedures and preparation for a storm. Every time we practice, we improve our readiness and communication.
“Our primary job before a hurricane is to help our beneficiaries and area commands get ready. This can be anything from ensuring that they have enough medicines for the storm's duration to arranging care in another area out of the storm's path.”
When a storm’s path becomes directed towards Pensacola, NHP will start putting out information to its beneficiaries and staff via Relay Health, Facebook, Twitter and its internet page to ensure all personnel are informed of the operational status of the hospital. Staff and beneficiaries should also monitor local news for updates as well.
During the storm, the hospital has a crew of essential personnel that will keep the hospital running and provide emergent care to those in need.
“After a hurricane, depending on the storm severity and area damage, our teams are positioned to provide urgent and emergent medical support as needed to both the military and civilian communities,” said Quarles. “As the clean up begins, the hospital staff works with the area commands and local authorities to provide medical expertise and care as needed. “
That partnership between NHP and civilian authorities starts long before hurricane season begins. NHP is currently interacting with the local community for training.
“Two NHP representatives are participating in training and exercises with Escambia County Emergency Operations Center (EOC),” said Kim Thiemann, emergency management specialist, NHP. “[They are] learning a new Web EOC communication system that allows [NHP] to properly liaison and work with local area hospitals and Escambia County during a disaster.”
Because it is difficult to accurately predict the amount and severity of hurricanes for the upcoming season, NHP prepares and plans for many different scenarios so that when a hurricane approaches, the hospital is prepared to support the local area.
Information regarding NHP prior to and during a hurricane will be provided on NHP’s Facebook, Twitter and Website.
| Date Taken: | 05.21.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 05.21.2013 11:46 |
| Story ID: | 107307 |
| Location: | PENSACOLA, FL, US |
| Web Views: | 100 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, NHP Prepares for Hurricane Season, by Jason Bortz, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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