INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Around 30 agencies were represented around the tables in the Indian River County Emergency Operations Center as they responded to mock Hurricane Kirk 12 hours post impact.
“That room is full of problem solvers,” said Asst. Chief Brian Burkeen, Indian River County Fire Rescue Public Information Officer (PIO).
The media room was a buzz with activity as county staff and volunteers monitored and responded to the mock hurricane.
During this hurricane drill, there were fewer questions about damage and more about how the media and emergency personnel could better get the word out during such an event.
A portion of the meeting concentrated on the use of social media. All but Sebastian Police have social media pages.
Burkeen, along with PIOs from the Florida Forest Service, Vero Beach Police, the Indian River County Health Department, the Sheriff’s Office, Radiological planning, and the Sebastian Police Department were on hand to answer questions and work out details to better disseminate information.
This is the first time officials used a volunteers to call into the emergency center to simulate calls from the public during a hurricane. The volunteers sat in a room off of the main location and called into the center with pre-scripted cards with different storm scenarios.
The event is a statewide exercise that has been going on for the past week or so, according to Burkeen.
“This is all in an effort to make our county more resilient,” said Etta LoPresti, Indian River County Emergency Planner.
