Preparing for Hurricane Season

The South Florida District Emergency Management Team (EMT) is preparing for the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which begins June 1.

Under the leadership of Acting District Manager Juan Gonzalez and Acting District Emergency Manager Michelle Jarrell, the EMT includes senior postal officials and Postal Inspectors. Just as you have an Emergency Action Plan to protect your family and secure your property, the EMT has tasks assigned in the Integrated Emergency Management Plan (IEMP) and Hurricane Annex which outlines specific preparedness, response, and recovery actions as Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The EMT’s mission is to ensure your safety and well-being as postal operations and service are restored after a tropical storm or a hurricane.

In the weeks prior to hurricane season, EMT members review and update the Hurricane Annex (including SOPs), and under the direction of National Preparedness Specialist Rachel Jones, participate in hurricane tabletop exercises to ensure that each team member understands his or her role. During an emergency, such as a tropical storm or a hurricane, the EMT relies on the Postal Alert Notification System (PANS), a web-based and wireless communications mechanism, to coordinate tasks and record actions taken before, during, and after a weather event.

Throughout the season (June 1–November 30), the EMT monitors National Hurricane Center advisories 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Based on these forecasts, the team communicates through meetings and telecons to make operational decisions. This information is messaged on the National Employee Emergency Hotline (888-363-7462).