Fleet and Family Readiness Center Plays Vital Role in Exercise Citadel Rumble 2010

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nardel Gervacio and Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Scott Dagendesh, Navy Public Affairs Support Element, Detachment Northwest

OAK HARBOR, Wash. (NNS) -- Commands throughout Navy Region Northwest (NRNW) participated in Citadel Rumble 2010, a simulated earthquake emergency response exercise Aug. 30 through Sept. 3.

Citadel Rumble, an annual integrated disaster preparedness response and recovery exercise, allowed installations to evaluate how well their Shore Emergency Management Program's readiness disaster response plans work and what needs improvement.

This exercise provided shore commands with the opportunity to exercise emergency management teams, procedures and partnerships with the local mutual aid agencies to better prepare themselves for responding to real-world disasters.

Part of the exercise focused on Navy family accountability and the ability to provide emergency support for military family members through Fleet and Family Support Center's (FFSC) family assistance center.

Approximately 60 volunteers simulated the need for some kind of care associated with a disaster; such as transportation, shelter, medication or food.

"Today we're simulating the second day past the earthquake," said Peter Harris, Fleet and Family Installation Training team member. "We're here to assist family members who have lost their belongings, need to find housing or if family members get separated."

Family readiness is an integral part of Navy Region Northwest's strategy in regards to disaster response.

"When a client comes in need, we are their first point of contact to assess what they need immediately and then direct them to the different venues, such as housing, Navy and Marine Corps Relief and Personnel Support Detachment," said Kelly Gilman, individual deployment support specialist (IDSS).

Simulated displaced victim, Dana Ledford of Oak Harbor said she felt assured of FFRC's ability to handle a disaster.

"Overall the Fleet and Family Support Center did very well; I played a displaced victim [during the exercise] with all my belongings destroyed," said Ledford. "All my questions were answered. I was referred to the right people, and my needs were met. I believe with all the chaos happening, FFSC would be able to handle such a disaster if it were to happen."