Homeland Security Prepares Federal Response Assets in Preparation for Hurricane Isabel's Landfall

Release Date: 09/16/03 00:00:00

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 16, 2003

As Hurricane Isabel moves closer to a Thursday strike on the U.S. mainland, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security continues to prepare its response elements to help state and local emergency managers protect lives and property by readying and pre-positioning emergency responders and equipment.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), both part of Homeland Security since March 1, have activated and deployed medical and communication teams, pre-positioned tons of emergency supplies, aircraft and ships and are prepared to alert the full Federal response in advance of Hurricane Isabel's landfall.

FEMA's National Emergency Response Teams are being dispatched to several locations along the mid-Atlantic coast to monitor Isabel's approach and to move quickly once the Hurricane's eye makes landfall.

Medical Management Support Teams and their associated equipment have been deployed to locations close to anticipated high damage areas, with an additional 16 Disaster Medical Assistance Teams and three Veterinary Disaster Medical Assistance Teams placed on alert and ready to move when the need arises. Two Urban Search and Rescue Hurricane Response Teams have been mobilized and dispatched to Virginia and New Jersey for possible rescue duty. Each team has 28 highly skilled and professional first responders.

As states in the projected landfall area inventory their emergency supplies and plan re-stocking measures, FEMA has moved 30 semi-trailers loaded with cots, blankets, emergency meals, portable toilets, plastic sheeting, bottled water and generators close to the storm's probable landfall area.

Operation Centers in FEMA's East Coast regions are on 12 hour shifts, with expansion to 24 hour operations scheduled for Wednesday. Regional liaison personnel have been dispatched to the various state emergency operation centers to assist with planning, logistical and response needs.

Other Federal departments and agencies such as Transportation, Agriculture, Health and Human Services, General Services Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Energy, The American Red Cross and the U.S. Corps of Engineers have emergency staff working around-the-clock at FEMA's Emergency Support Team Operations Center in Washington DC to coordinate and manage response requests from state officials.

Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge is closely monitoring Hurricane Isabel's progress and has been participating in regular conference calls with the Governors in the hurricane's probable landfall area as well as those states in the projected path after landfall.

The U.S. Coast Guard has positioned 28 helicopters and 8 fixed-wing C-130 patrol aircraft along the East Coast to immediately respond if needed. Large Coast Guard cutters with helicopters are also positioned offshore for possible rescue efforts.

The USCG Atlantic Strike Team, a special environmental response unit, is ready to deploy to oil spills or other environmental effects. The Coast Guard's new Maritime Safety and Security Teams in Chesapeake, VA and New York Harbor are patrolling near critical infrastructures and are ready to save lives and property. These 100-person teams have special boats and training and were established following 9-11.

The Coast Guard is working with port safety authorities in Atlantic Coast ports to prepare for Isabel and restore safe navigation just as soon as the storm passes.

Homeland Security encourages citizens along the East Coast to monitor Isabel's progress and to follow the advice of local emergency managers. Take time to prepare before the storm arrives and secure your residence against possible damage; develop an emergency kit with food, water, a battery operated radio or television and extra batteries; develop a family communication plan and learn more about the threats that hurricanes present to you and your family.

This page was last reviewed/modified on 09/16/03 00:00:00.