HomeMy Public PortalAboutCOTI_PR20100713_TEMASimulation.pdfMAYOR
Jason Buelterman
CITY COUNCIL
Shirley Sessions, Mayor Pro Tem
Wanda D. Doyle
Bill Garbett
Frank Schuman, Sr.
Kathryn Williams
Paul Wolff CITY OF TYBEE ISLAND
CITY MANAGER
Diane Schleicher
CLERK OF COUNCIL
Vivian O. Woods
CITY ATTORNEY
Edward M. Hughes
P.O. Box 2749 – 403 Butler Avenue, Tybee Island, Georgia 31328-2749
(866) 786-4573 – FAX (866) 786-5737
www.cityoftybee.org
PRESS RELEASE: CONTACT: Jimmy Brown
For immediate release Tybee Emergency Management
(912) 786-4573, x112
Tybee Island City Staff Plan Hurricane Exercise
Tybee Island, GA – (July 13, 2010) The staff of the City of Tybee Island is conducting an emergency readiness
exercise in cooperation with the Chatham Emergency Management Authority (CEMA). While the exercise
began on Monday, July 12th, the only part of the simulation that will affect the public will take place o n
Wednesday, July 14th, from 8AM until 1PM, when City Departments will be operating under simulated
emergency conditions. The Cashiers Office is expected to close from approximately noon until 1PM; other
services should remain available, although with redu ced staffing.
Mayor Jason Buelterman notes, “With the expected active hurricane season this year, it is important that the
City make sure that emergency plans are not only in place, but tested, to ensure that our communications
with other emergency agencies are working properly and that our staff will be able to respond effectively to
any situations that may arise.”
Under the guidance of the Tybee Emergency Management office, cooperative planning with CEMA for this
simulation, dubbed “Hurricane Gilligan”, has been under way for several months. Official communications from
City offices may reference this “Hurricane Gilligan Emergency Preparedness Exercise” only to test
communication channels. Should a real emergency arise, the simulation will be terminated immediately, and
real emergency actions will take precedence over the exercise; NOAA weather watches and warnings are not
part of the simulation, so take any warnings of inclement weather as real.
About Tybee Island, GA.: The City of Tybee Island, Georgia is on the outermost barrier island off the Savannah area coast. With a wild
bird sanctuary, over three miles of ocean beaches, and salt marshes on the back river, outdoor recreation activities abound f or visitors to
the island. As a key defense point to the important Savannah port, Tybee’s Fort Screven, Tybee Fort Theater, Fort Pulaski, and the Tybee
Island and Cockspur Lighthouses combine with the unique architectures of the island’s raised cottages to form a rich backdrop for history
buffs. Attracting a strong artistic community, there are several local supporting art galleries. Keeping the island interesting year round are
several arts festivals, the Annual Pirate Fest, the Beach Bum Parade, St Patrick’s Day celebrations, the Hot Rod Run, the Beach Bash, and
the Christmas Parade, as well as fireworks displays on Independence and New Year’s Days off the Walter W. Parker Pier and Pav ilion. The
Marine Science Center cooperates with Georgia’s DNR to protect threatened sea turtle species by searching for nests, protecting their
eggs, and making sure hatchlings make it to sea. For visitor information, stop by http://www.tybeevisit.com/, and to find more about the
City of Tybee Island, visit our web site at http://www.cityoftybee.org/.
About Chatham Emergency Management Agency: The Mission of CEMA is to protect lives and property from the threat of all types of
major emergencies and disasters, both natural and manmade. This shall be accomplished by providing community-wide leadership,
guidance, support and coordination in the areas of mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.
# # #