Mock Disaster to Strike Utility on Thursday

Kissimmee Utility Authority will conduct a full-scale mock disaster exercise on April 13 to assess the preparedness of its personnel to work cohesively in a crisis scenario.

Kissimmee, FL (PRWEB) April 10, 2006 –- In an effort to assess the preparedness of its personnel to work cohesively in a crisis scenario, Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA) will conduct a full-scale mock disaster exercise on Thursday, April 13.

The four-hour drill will involve a wide range of activities, including both live-action training as well as table top exercises. The mock disaster will be handled with the same intensity as real-life incidents.

Activities will include pre- and post-hurricane scenarios as well as a series of exercises to gauge how effectively the utility would respond to a pandemic or other major health threat, such as avian influenza.

"In a pandemic, essential services such as power and water could be disrupted, and crucial workers sickened or killed," said Jef Gray, KUA's vice president of information technology and this year's drill coordinator. "We have a responsibility to keep our services flowing, no matter what the disaster might be."

A team of evaluators will observe the drill to identify vulnerabilities and exposures and make recommendations for improvements.

The drill will not impact normal utility operations.

Founded in 1901, KUA (www.kua.com) is Florida's sixth largest community-owned utility providing electric and telecommunication services to 170,000 residents in five Central Florida counties.

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