USA: CSS Prepares for Hurricane

Center for Service Support (CSS) emergency management team provided evacuation and emergency preparedness training to Sailors and civilians for this hurricane season, Aug. 20.

“You can’t take the threat of hurricanes lightly,” said Command Master Chief (SW/SCW/AW) Ray Rosado.

Rosado said that every hurricane preparedness kit should include important documents, clothing, medication, tools, food and water, hygiene items, first aid supplies, kitchen items and comfort items.

Hurricane season ends Nov. 30.

“Every family should have unique evacuation plans and hurricane preparedness kits,” said Rosado. “Every kit and plan should have the specific needs of different family members. Everyone should also have an established pet plan.”

“Our pets are an important part of our lives,” said Rosado. “Their safety and well-being requires a lot of planning and preparation. Many hotels and shelters have strict ‘no pet’ policies, so pet owners must generate hotel and shelter lists prior to departing.”

It has been estimated that more than 600,000 pets perished during Hurricane Katrina. Hurricane Katrina made landfall at Buras, La., August 29, 2005 and is widely considered one of the most destructive storms in U.S. history.

Capt. Mark S. Murphy, CSS commanding officer said all Sailors in the CSS domain are required to submit updates while civilian employees are highly encouraged to update their personal data in the Navy Family Accountability and Assessment System (NFAAS).

NFAAS is a standardized method for the Navy to account, assess, manage and monitor the recovery process for personnel and their families affected by an event such as a hurricane. NFAAS can also be utilized by retirees and contractors and their family members.

“Current information about your family and their statuses are important,” said Murphy. “Every command must ensure their Sailors update contact and family information online in NFAAS.

Murphy said that the families of individual augmentees (IAs) should be contacted immediately during any emergency planning.

“Commands may forget about a deployed Sailor’s family,” said Murphy. “We have to be their support system and must be ready to go to extra lengths for them, even if it means helping their wives or husbands get packed and on the road. We are one family.”

Murphy also cited many products and services offered by the FFSC, including hurricane preparedness checklists, classes and counselors that personalize evacuation plans.

“Closely monitor the weather projections in your area,” Murphy said. “Hurricanes form in the tropics unexpectedly and make their way up the coast line rapidly. Be prepared and always have a plan. Your family’s lives may depend on it.”

Hurricane season ends Nov. 30.
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Press Release, August 21, 2013; Image: US Navy