PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island conducted a hurricane exercise June 22-26, 2015, to simulate the efforts needed to evacuate permanent personnel, recruits and equipment.
Parris Island has not had to evacuate because of a hurricane since 1999, when Hurricane Floyd forced approximately 7,000 recruits and Marines from the island. However, no one can exactly predict the path or potential damage of a hurricane, so the depot conducts an annual exercise to ensure it’s ready should the call to evacuate be sounded.
"Going through this exercise allows us to see all the moving parts, how to coordinate and account for everyone, and make sure we have transportation and lift support for the personnel and equipment to protect them," said Maj. Donald C. Prograis II, Emergency Operations Center watch officer.
For 2015, meteorologists predict a hurricane season with below average hurricane activity, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. There is a 70 percent chance that 6-11 named storms will hit the east coast, and 3-6 of those named storms could become hurricanes.
"I feel the practices are important in order to get the recruits to safety in a timely manner," said Senior Drill Instructor Gunnery Sgt. Christopher S. Miles. "If recruits understand the impact of the drills, then they know what is expected when and if that time comes."
Leading up to the official start of hurricane season, service members and their families attended hurricane preparation training, which helped them develop a personal evacuation plan. With that training focusing on individual Marines and their families and the exercise focusing on the recruits and materiel, the depot is well on its way to ensuring continuity of operations should an evacuation be ordered.
"We found all of the areas we needed to improve at the same time there are a lot of actions taken, a lot of leadership executed as far as taking the initiative to get the information, execute the action and make decisions," said Prograis, 41, from Girard, Ill. "Ultimately, every day we've met the objective as far as that portion of the exercise."
After the week-long exercise, officials will review the outcome and apply any necessary changes to ensure MCRD Parris Island can continue making Marines regardless of what mother nature throws at the Lowcountry.
For information on how you can prepare for hurricanes and other types of disasters, visit the depot’s Emergency Management Program website at: http://www.mcrdpi.marines.mil/Resources/EmergencyManagement