West Palm Beach runs realistic hurricane drill; officials and rescue staff urge residents to prepare, include pets

West Palm Beach emergency crews ran a realistic hurricane-response drill and held related training and exhibits ahead of hurricane season, Sheryl Hahn said. The exercises included simulated collapsed vehicles, role-playing “devastated residents,” and evaluations intended to improve street-clearing and victim-assistance procedures.

The drill matters because piled debris can block emergency vehicles and because first responders must combine technical skills with empathy when survivors arrive at chaotic scenes, Hahn reported. Observers conducted critiques after the exercises to identify areas for improvement.

City employees played the roles of residents searching for missing pets and personal belongings amid rubble as crews practiced extraction and traffic clearance. "This is just part of a drill with city employees playing the roles of devastated residents, trying to find a missing dog in this pile of debris, a purse that was left in a crushed car," Hahn said. Participants were evaluated on both operational steps and on how they managed confrontational or distraught people at the scene.

Officials also ran exercises at the city's emergency operations center. Training availability was affected by federal budget cuts, but organizers said the governor's hurricane conference hosted statewide classes and an exhibit hall that displayed equipment—everything from tents, generators and portable sanitation to temporary housing trailers and flood barriers.

Vendors showed personal and site-level gear, including sandbags, battery backups for electronics, and what the transcript described as “aqua fences.” Exhibitors sold supplies on site for agencies and organizations that had the budget and need.

Public-preparedness recommendations given during the coverage included: pack a backpack “go” kit for each person; keep flashlights and ample batteries; have battery backups for phones and tablets; store one gallon of water per person per day for up to three days (72 hours); stock nonperishable foods and a can opener; keep a first-aid kit and tools for minor repairs; and carry a whistle and rain gear.

"We recommend that you have 1 gallon per person per day up to 3 days or 72 hours," a speaker on the broadcast said. The coverage emphasized practical household steps: inspect shutters and trees now, reduce loose yard items, top off vehicle fuel well before storms, and withdraw cash early because ATMs may be offline after power outages.

Pet preparedness was a central point from the Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League. A Peggy Adams representative advised owners to pack a pet go-bag with food, water, medications, first-aid supplies, extra collars and leashes, comfort items, cleaning supplies and documentation of medical history and ownership. The representative said shelters that accept animals list pet-safe locations on evacuation routes and recommended pre-registering at peggyadams.org/hurricaneprep.

"Family and getting supplies for yourselves, you don't wanna forget about the pets that you have at home," the Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League representative said. The broadcast also noted that the rescue league’s buildings are designed to withstand hurricanes and that a skeleton crew sometimes remains to care for animals during storms.

An attendee from Hawaii who was at the conference described the value of learning from others: "We've had some hurricanes in the past, but we haven't had really, like, a direct hit compared to what Florida has been through. So it's just pretty much learning from everyone's experience on what we can do to better prepare ourselves," the attendee said.

After a storm, the coverage advised residents to avoid sightseeing, check on neighbors only if safe, and wait for official all-clear notices from authorities. For official local guidance and checklists, the segment directed residents to wpb.org/hurricane.

The report combined demonstration exercises, vendor exhibits and public-safety guidance to stress that both first responders and residents—including pet owners—should prepare ahead of any tropical storm or hurricane.