Century Leaders Tour Emergency Center, Plan To Manage Disasters

March 17, 2017

The Town of Century plans to become more proactive in future emergency responses and recovery operations, according to Century Mayor Henry Hawkins.

Thursday morning, Hawkins, council members Luis Gomez and Sandra McMurray Jackson and Town Clerk Leslie Howington toured the Escambia County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on W Street in Pensacola.

Brad Hattaway, planning coordinator for Escambia EMA, explained to the council how the agency works and the council’s role. He said the Town of Century is part of the planning process and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is there to support the town during disasters.

The town has a standing invitation to participate in the planning, training, exercises and operations of the EOC, Hattaway said.

The Town of Century currently contracts with BRACE – the Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies — to represent the town during EOC activations.

Picture top: Century council member Sandra McMurray Jackson in Century’s seat at the Escambia County Emergency Operations Center. Pictured below: (L-R) Mayor Henry Hawkins, council member Luis Gomez, council member Jackson, Town Clerk Leslie Howington. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

2 Responses to “Century Leaders Tour Emergency Center, Plan To Manage Disasters”

  1. Be Ready on March 17th, 2017 3:08 pm

    Now especially what needs to be done to prepare is to tear down the abandoned homes so they do not become missiles and tear up the rest of the town (Code Enforcememt)
    That IS the job of the municipality.
    The houses that are rebuilt need to be insured or you just repeat the same old drill again.
    Century leaders, encourage the citizens to have insurance or move to an apartment and rent and not expect the government to rebuild their house is one way to prepare, or especially make sure the deeds on their property are legally in their own name not their ancestor’s.
    Just because they pay the property tax does not mean they qualify for the SHIP or CBBG..
    That is why Century was not prepared for the tornado mostly.
    Let the citizens know FEMA has changed post Katrina. Educate and tell the truth and that helps folks prepare and be ready.
    Of course keep the water and sewer on back up and have contingency plans in place locally. At least the last two disaster didn’t take out those services (Ivan and President’s day tornado.
    The emergency response was fine.

  2. CC on March 17th, 2017 9:11 am

    Century can’t run their city in a productive manner how in the world would they have the where with all to run a disaster? This mayor has good ideas and I’m sure his thought is that it will save Century money but it will do just the opposite if it isn’t done correctly. Sounds like they might want to leave it to the professionals before a bad national disaster could just as easily get worse if not handled correctly.