Emergency service leaders train for natural disasters in Hurrex 2014

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Today, hundreds of local emergency service representatives and volunteers participated in a hurricane drill called Hurrex 2014.

The biennial event funded through the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) is a drill activity to simulate evacuation techniques in case a hurricane hits middle Georgia.

Emergency Management Agency Director, Don Druitt says the three-day opportunity allows members the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department and Sheriff’s Office, EMA, the Red Cross, and the Department of Family and Children’s Services to evaluate individual evacuation plans, then come together to re-evaluate hurricane relief strategies.

“We have a plan in place that we can evacuate 50,000 people, house 50,000 people in shelters for at least five days,” says Druitt.

According to a news release, more than 400 people state-wide are participating in the event.

Hurrex 2014 ends May 8.

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