Ok, while I am far away from the world of Emergency Management now, I still think about how hard it can be to be an emergency manager on the East Side of Tennessee...really anywhere in the South. Now, this blog isn't to discredit the issues faced by EMers in the OEM of the City of New York or Los Angeles. Nor will it discredit those in Texas, DC, or even Florida. Those areas have their own threats and concerns particular to their areas, just as we have to ours here in beautiful East Tennessee.
I saw a cartoon not to long ago that presented 4 beautiful pictures from around the country depicting locations that exhibited the natural signs of the 4 seasons. These were showing great quantities of snow, to beautiful beaches, while trees changed through their autumn colors. Then below the 4 areas, it showed the 4 season and said "A Thursday in East TN". It really is true, we can honestly see all 4 seasons in a short period. Take yesterday and today as an example. Yesterday we were experiencing cool weather coupled with massive winds and thunderstorms. Only to be followed up with about an inch of snow on the ground today. All the while, news reports are coming out that by Monday our town will have sunny skies and 60 degree temperatures.
So, how does this wreak havoc on Emergency service organizations. In LA, NYC, or DC, it is typically easy to understand what your threats are going to be. In LA you have EL Nino that brings in difficult weather, but you are handing out with some good temps annually. In NYC, you know that winter is going to bring some tremendous snows and low temps, while the streets are still lined with people on Times Square. In DC, traffic is going to be slow going no matter what, but winter is truly winter. In East Tennessee you never know what you are going to get. Weather forecasting is a skill that Emergency service employees must have. If you watch the weather channel they are going to tell you the movement of the air and that everybody must watch out for bad weather, but in East Tennessee we sit in the valley of a large mountain range that typically blocks (or at least reduces) some of the most devestating weather that passes through the region. If a weather system comes in from the West, or Northwest then by the time it hits the Knoxville area it will have slowed down and minimal damage occurs. However, if the weather comes in from the South or South East then we are facing the full brunt of whatever low pressure system is coming through. Honestly, you may be preparing for bed one minute, and the next you are opening the Emergency Operations Center and activating the Tactical response teams for medical incident response.
Emergency Managers have a tremendous amount of knowledge, and at times that knowledge is put under tremendous strain. When you are in East Tennessee and you are facing severe weather as an EMer, just wait 10 minutes and it will change!!!
Take Care and Stay Safe
Combomedic.
I saw a cartoon not to long ago that presented 4 beautiful pictures from around the country depicting locations that exhibited the natural signs of the 4 seasons. These were showing great quantities of snow, to beautiful beaches, while trees changed through their autumn colors. Then below the 4 areas, it showed the 4 season and said "A Thursday in East TN". It really is true, we can honestly see all 4 seasons in a short period. Take yesterday and today as an example. Yesterday we were experiencing cool weather coupled with massive winds and thunderstorms. Only to be followed up with about an inch of snow on the ground today. All the while, news reports are coming out that by Monday our town will have sunny skies and 60 degree temperatures.
So, how does this wreak havoc on Emergency service organizations. In LA, NYC, or DC, it is typically easy to understand what your threats are going to be. In LA you have EL Nino that brings in difficult weather, but you are handing out with some good temps annually. In NYC, you know that winter is going to bring some tremendous snows and low temps, while the streets are still lined with people on Times Square. In DC, traffic is going to be slow going no matter what, but winter is truly winter. In East Tennessee you never know what you are going to get. Weather forecasting is a skill that Emergency service employees must have. If you watch the weather channel they are going to tell you the movement of the air and that everybody must watch out for bad weather, but in East Tennessee we sit in the valley of a large mountain range that typically blocks (or at least reduces) some of the most devestating weather that passes through the region. If a weather system comes in from the West, or Northwest then by the time it hits the Knoxville area it will have slowed down and minimal damage occurs. However, if the weather comes in from the South or South East then we are facing the full brunt of whatever low pressure system is coming through. Honestly, you may be preparing for bed one minute, and the next you are opening the Emergency Operations Center and activating the Tactical response teams for medical incident response.
Emergency Managers have a tremendous amount of knowledge, and at times that knowledge is put under tremendous strain. When you are in East Tennessee and you are facing severe weather as an EMer, just wait 10 minutes and it will change!!!
Take Care and Stay Safe
Combomedic.
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