As the East Coast suffers through the damage of hurricane Irene, Texas soldiers prepare for a similar disaster that could hit the Gulf Coast region this hurricane season.
Saturday, members of the Texas State Guard met at Camp Mabry and planned what they would do to help the state if a hurricane hit the gulf coast.
“Hurricane season ramps up particularly between August, September and October. That's our main focus,” said Lt. Col. Phil King, a guardsman and a State Representative from Weatherford. “What we are doing today, is reviewing protocols and making sure we are prepared to go out if we are called."
In times of crisis including hurricanes Ike, Katrina and Rita, Guard members are called to serve.
“Our job is to go in and help get people out, help take care of them while they are out, and help them get back home,” King said.
According to the state's disaster response plan, Texas guardsmen run the shelters that hurricane evacuees stay in, but that’s not all.
“We can run points of distribution where relief items are actually distributed and passed out: water, food cleaning supplies and blankets,” said Tony Rodriguez, a Brigadier General in the Texas Guard.
About two thousand men and women serve in the Texas State Guard, which is an all volunteer force. Most of them have civilian jobs. The Guard’s headquarters is at Camp Mabry, and they are always looking for volunteers. Volunteers do not need any prior military experience.
While the Texas State Guard does not expect to be called out to serve on the East Coast, these Texans say they are ready if the Lone Star State faces a similar disaster.
