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    Destructive Weather; Planning is Key

    Destructive Weather; Planning Is Key

    Photo By Emily McCamy | Storm clouds roll by after a deluge of rain soaks Camp America leaving large pools of...... read more read more

    By Emily Russell
    Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs

    GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba - With hurricane season approaching, it is important to be prepared by knowing the standard operating procedures for severe weather at Guantanamo Bay.

    "Historically, Guantanamo doesn't get hit directly by major storms because of the geography of this area," said Marine Capt. Wayne Geschwindt, destructive weather plans officer with the J3. "Most likely a series of storms come close, so we experience heavy rains and wash outs (but) Jamaica and Haiti take (the brunt of) it."

    Conditions of Readiness are five levels of preparedness. They are issued when the arrival of high winds, greater than 50 knots, or approximately 59 mph, are expected within a certain time period. Knowing the conditions of readiness, and the corresponding actions to take during that period of time, can help alleviate confusion and stress that can occur during severe weather.

    COR 5 is issued 96 hours – four days – prior to the forecasted arrival of severe weather. During this time, everyone is required to reduce the amount of materials stored outdoors which could become dangerous in high winds. Actions are taken to ensure supplies are available for Joint Task Force-Guantanamo should the weather continue to escalate.

    COR 4 is issued within 72 hours. Individuals are required to pack a personal bag complete with essential items to last five days. This includes any medications needed if ordered to go to a shelter. JTF personnel rosters are updated and verified to ensure accuracy.

    Two days out, COR 3 is issued. Vehicles must be fueled to capacity and maintained at no less than half full. Emergency stores and utilities are checked.

    COR 2 is issued within 24 hours of the severe weather event. Non-essential personnel are restrictred to their quarters. Schools close and children are bussed to their homes.

    COR 1 is in effect from 12 hours out until the event's expected arrival. At this point all routine activities and non-essential utilities will cease. Classified materials are secured, and all individuals must report to their respective hurricane shelter.

    "Depending on where you live, you will receive different instruction on what to do, Geschwindt said. "It is essential that individuals report and remain at their assigned shelter."

    Safety and accountability are everything when faced with potentially serious weather conditions. The J3 staff specifically creates a destructive weather plan in order to maintain accountability, command and control.

    "The danger of doing your own thing is that J1, who maintains accountability reports from all sections, will have an issue where their numbers won't match up," said Geschwindt. "Going to a different shelter than the one you are designated will put a strain on the quality of life for the residents of that particular shelter, as well as put a strain on the number of MREs and water available to each person who reports."

    According to JTF accountability procedures, each housing area has wardens and mayors assigned to assist the J1 with accountability. A warden physically counts each individual from their unit who occupy a particular housing area or shelter. The warden then reports their tallies to their chain of command and informs the mayor they have completed their duties.

    Housing mayors report to the J3 that all the wardens in their housing area have reported personnel numbers to individual units. Each subordinate unit accounts for any personnel on duty, then add the personnel who are not on duty and verify the individuals who are on leave or temporary duty. If this is done properly, the accountability report should be accurate. Each element reports accountability by-number to the J1 in the Joint Operation Center.

    "If you are in a leadership position, you need to know exactly where your people are," Geschwindt emphasized. "The chain of command needs to know where people are so they don't send out a rescue mission for someone who's not here. There comes a point in the storm when no one is out looking for anyone. It's just too dangerous."

    "If someone is missing, do not go looking for them," he continued. "Report it through the mayors and wardens or your chain of command. JTF will run a command and control operation by radio communication and will be in contact with emergency services who know how to conduct search and rescue operations."

    Planning, preparation and following procedures is everyone's responsibility, Geschwindt stressed, regardless of rank or position.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 05.16.2008
    Date Posted: 05.27.2008 12:44
    Story ID: 19820
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    Web Views: 231
    Downloads: 168

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