NEW YORK OFFICE HOSTS FIRST REGIONAL TABLETOP EXERCISE FOR NATIONAL DISASTER PREPAREDNESS MONTH

The HUD New York Regional Office, in observance of "National Disaster Preparedness Month" and as part of "Region II Ready Now Exercise Series", convened its first disaster response and recovery tabletop exercise, the New York Vibrant Response TTX.

Region II is now a major contributor of HUD's national exercise program assisting in the design, conduct and direction of its continuity and recovery drills.

Henry Comas, Regional Disaster/COOP Coordinator lead the New York Vibrant Response TTX.

Tony Hebert, HUD Disaster Recovery Coordinator for HUD Regions I-V also participated in the exercise.

National Disaster Preparedness Month is a yearly event to better prepare to handle emergencies and disasters. This year's theme "Disasters Happen. Prepare Now. Learn How.", is a powerful call to action to encourage us to take time to talk about HUD's emergency preparedness: What are our roles and responsibilities? Where do we go for resources? and, Who do we coordinate with in the event of an emergency?

The purpose of this exercise is to create a learning environment that will allow staff to talk through a disaster, assess their current state of emergency preparedness and understanding of HUD's emergency recovery roles and responsibilities. This exercise scenario entailed a truck exploding at a NYC Housing Authority and HUD Section 202 Senior residence property in Harlem causing extensive damage and some causalities.

The exercise discussions are intended to provide HUD staff with an opportunity to exchange potential solutions to challenges, identifying gaps, weaknesses, or areas of concern and measure staff knowledge and understanding of their department's emergency short- and long-term recovery procedures.

HUD Regional Administrator Lynne Patton and HUD Senior Management Analyst Jacob Dale.

Henry Comas, Regional Disaster/COOP Coordinator.

"Region II is committed to increasing its organizational readiness and encouraging a culture of disaster preparedness," said Lynne Patton, HUD Region II Regional Administrator. "HUD staff plays a critical role in preserving lives, protecting property and providing essential services. We encourage all our employees to be fully engaged in strengthening our disaster response and building a culture of resilience."

Participating Departments and Agencies included; The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), The New York City Office of Emergency Management (OEM), Office of Public and Indian Housing, Office of Multi-family Housing, Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity and Office of Filed Policy and Management.

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