NEW YORK—Operation “Rising Storm” took place on Wednesday to test the government’s response readiness in the event that New York City is hit by a Category 3 hurricane. The seven-hour exercise included various Category 3 storm scenarios, which were used to evaluate the government’s ability to function and respond to dynamic emergency situations.
Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the New York Federal Executive Board (FEB) led 44 federal agencies in this evaluation. The NY FEB was created by the by the Office of Personnel Management in the U.S. Department of the Interior in order to facilitate synergized communication and collaboration among federal agencies outside of Washington, D.C. It represents federal agencies in the five boroughs. The NYC’s Office of Emergency Management (NYCOEM) and Department of Health and Mental Hygiene also participated in this operation.
“June 1st, the start of hurricane season, is just around the corner,” said Cynthia Gable, FEB executive director. “Federal agencies need to test existing continuity of operations (COOP) plans to identify gaps and shortfalls before we need to use them. This exercise will both test and refine our plans for the upcoming hurricane season,” she continued.
“The region has been spared the full brunt of a hurricane in recent years, but we can’t count on always being that lucky,” said Russell Fox, National Continuity manager, FEMA, Region II. “The participation of NYCOEM means that New York’s federal community will be familiar with local needs and procedures before the first rain drop falls, ensuring both a good emergency response and the prospects for seamless continuity of government services,” he added.
FEMA Region II covers New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the New York Federal Executive Board (FEB) led 44 federal agencies in this evaluation. The NY FEB was created by the by the Office of Personnel Management in the U.S. Department of the Interior in order to facilitate synergized communication and collaboration among federal agencies outside of Washington, D.C. It represents federal agencies in the five boroughs. The NYC’s Office of Emergency Management (NYCOEM) and Department of Health and Mental Hygiene also participated in this operation.
“June 1st, the start of hurricane season, is just around the corner,” said Cynthia Gable, FEB executive director. “Federal agencies need to test existing continuity of operations (COOP) plans to identify gaps and shortfalls before we need to use them. This exercise will both test and refine our plans for the upcoming hurricane season,” she continued.
“The region has been spared the full brunt of a hurricane in recent years, but we can’t count on always being that lucky,” said Russell Fox, National Continuity manager, FEMA, Region II. “The participation of NYCOEM means that New York’s federal community will be familiar with local needs and procedures before the first rain drop falls, ensuring both a good emergency response and the prospects for seamless continuity of government services,” he added.
FEMA Region II covers New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
