HomeMy Public PortalAboutLTC 164-2018 Hurricane Re-Entry Table Top ExerciseBAL HARBOUR
- VILLAGE -
OFFICE OF THE VILLAGE MANAGER
LETTER TO COUNCIL
NO. 164-2018
To: Mayor Gabriel Groisman and Members of the Village Council
From: Jorge M. Gonzalez, Village Manager
Date: October 19, 2018
Subject: Hurricane Re -Entry Table Top Exercise
The purpose of this Letter to Council is to inform you of a scheduled multi -police agency
hurricane preparation training exercise.
On Tuesday, October 30, 2018 from 10AM to 12PM, the Bal Harbour Police Department
will facilitate a major hurricane post landfall re-entry table top exercise held at the Bay
Harbour Islands Community Services Department located at the Morris N. Broad
Community Center in Bay Harbor Islands. Participating in this exercise will be
representatives of the Bal Harbour, Bay Harbour Islands, Indian Creek, Sunny Isles and
Surfside Police and Public Works Departments.
The exercise is designed to expose the participants to the challenges associated with first
responders, residents, municipal and utility workers, contractors and other persons
returning to the coastal communities after landfall of a major hurricane striking 96th Street
and Collins Avenue. Experience has shown that in the aftermath of a major hurricane
landfall on United States shores, access to local roadways and re-entry to hard hit areas has
proven to be a significant management and public safety challenge to police departments
and local government officials. This situation is of particular concern to our coastal
communities, when there are 8 municipalities with 8 separate police departments with
limited personnel and resources from Golden Beach south to Miami Beach.
Another dimension of this exercise is to foster close coordination and cooperation
between the police agencies to manage police officer deployment at key access
checkpoint locations, as well as determining a common criterion for access in what is likely
to be a long-term recovery process. After the exercise and during the critique, discussion
will center on the potential utilization of re-entry placards meant to expedite access.
Recognizing the need for local coastal communities to work together in a common goal
after landfall of a major hurricane will enable public safety and a more effective managed
response. As Village Manager, I take pride in our administration's management team
LTC 164-2018: Hurricane Re -Entry Table Top Exercise
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taking a leadership role and support in this worthwhile endeavor.
If you have any questions or need additional information please feel free to contact me.
JMG/RMF/MG/DM