Homeland Security Task Force Southeast

Press Release

Date: March 7, 2007
Contact: 
Joint Information Center 
Princess Ousley
JIC: 305-468-5956/5957
Cell: 850-528-8973
JIC Release: #006
Time: 1215

State Emergency Response Team Joins Task Force to Exercise Mass Migration Plan

MIAMI - Florida's State Emergency Response Team will join federal and local agencies to form the Homeland Security Task Force Southeast, in order to conduct a full-scale exercise, March 7 and 8, to test the task force's mass migration plan.

An Incident Management Team (IMT), led by state Emergency Management Deputy Director Ruben Almaguer, is part of over 50 response agencies that are expected to participate in the two-day exercise at the Miami-Dade County Emergency Operations Center and multiple venues across southeast Florida.

"This training event allows us to bring the State Team together, as part of the joint task force, to better understand and coordinate any resource needs from our federal and local colleagues," said Deputy Director Almaguer. "Over the next several days, we will gain valuable insight that will help the state to fine-tune our unified response efforts."

State agencies joining Emergency Management in the field operation includes representatives from the Florida Departments of Health, Children and Families, Business and Professional Regulation, Law Enforcement, and the Florida National Guard. Additionally, the State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee will "activate" Wednesday in support of the IMT field operation in Miami.     

The task force is required by Presidential Directive to exercise the mass migration plan as part of the national preparedness goal. The exercise will help planners validate the contents of the plan, identify any areas for improvement, and help responders to become more proficient in their response efforts. 

"This exercise provides an excellent opportunity for the members of Homeland Security Task Force Southeast to further refine their skills and to further build upon our already solid partnerships," said Rear Adm. David W. Kunkel, director of Homeland Security Task Force Southeast and commander of the Seventh Coast Guard District. 

For more information on the State Emergency Response Team please go to: http://www.floridadisaster.org/                

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