A mobile communications station is essential during natural disasters.
PINELLAS COUNTY – Dozens of Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputies on May 11 participated in an emergency hurricane drill designed to familiarize themselves with procedures and equipment.
Deputies responded to their Ulmerton Road headquarters to set up massive tents, communications gear, a cookhouse and even a vehicle maintenance facility complete with a portable car lift.
The event started about 4 a.m. and was to continue until noon, but smoke that was blown down from the Georgia and North Florida brush fires caused an early closure.
“We are preparing for the upcoming hurricane season that already has produced one named storm,” said Sgt. James Bordner Jr., public information officer.
The purpose of the exercise was to familiarize deputies with methods and equipment in the aftermath of a natural disaster. Those resources, packed away since last fall, also were inspected to ensure functionality.
Everything worked with the exception of one portable light unit. A part was ordered from the manufacturer.
Deputies assembled four 20-by-30-foot air conditioned tents that each fit in an unusually-small box, when properly stored. The tents each house 16 people. Also assembled was deployable communications equipment, including 40- and 100-foot radio antennas.
Bordner said an entire self-contained unit could be deployed to any area needing assistance abd could be up and running within six hours.
“There was a time when deputies sent to a disaster area would sleep in cars and
eat cold food,” Bordner said. “That doesn’t need to happen any longer.”
During the exercise, deputies enjoyed a hot breakfast cooked in their own rolling cafeteria that actually would respond to an emergency.
“Our people worked in Florida and even in Mississippi,” Bordner said. “They cooperate with local authorities to restore order.”
Part of the deployment includes a portable booking unit where detainees would be processed. It would be used in cases of mass arrests of looters and other criminals who prey on victims of weather disasters.
“Our ability to provide a fully equipped offsite command and operations center in the wake of a direct or significant hit by a hurricane is critical to the safety and security of all our citizens,” said Major Kirk Brunner, commander of the sheriff’s office detention and corrections bureau.
The exercise also provides an opportunity to evaluate the agency’s ability to provide emergency relief assistance to other agencies.
An entire vehicle maintenance unit is part of the deployment. The portable car lift allows mechanics to perform repairs and exchange tires.
“After a hurricane there are nails and other sharp items that must be removed from tires,” Bordner said.
Bordner said should a hurricane strike Pinellas County the emergency equipment would be established next to the Ulmerton Road sheriff’s office.
Major Dan Simovich, commander of the patrol operations bureau, said being self-sufficient is critical to keeping deputies fit for duty.
“Two of our greatest challenges during deployments have been to provide food and shelter for our employees,” Simovich said. “They work long hours under very difficult circumstances. It is important for our emergency workers to arrive in an area as a self-sufficient unit that is ready to go to work.”
Bordner also urged residents to get themselves ready for an emergency. He said food, batteries, water and other items should be stockpiled. Familiarization with evacuation routes and other procedures also should be ready.
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