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TEMA 3041 Sidco Drive Nashville, TN 37204
Tel: 615-741-0001 www.tnema.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, June 16, 2016CONTACT: Dean Flener
OFFICE:615-741-0430
EAST TENNESSEE CATASTROPHIC EXERCISE PLAY PROVIDES REAL-
WORLD EXPERIENCE AMONG MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL PARTNERS
NASHVILLE, Tenn. The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) will join more than 15
East Tennessee local emergency management agencies, military authorities and private sector
entities on Thursday, June 23, 2016, for a severe weather simulation to practice the response and
recovery activities that will be needed in the aftermath of a disaster.
The TEMA-coordinated exercise, known as TNCAT 16 (pronounced TEN-CAT for TennesseeCatastrophic Exercise) is an annual, large-scale disaster planning event used to enhance the
coordination and communication among local, state and private sector entities. The TNCAT exercise
moves to a different region of the state each year, and past exercises have simulated catastrophic
earthquakes, wildfires and winter storms.
Well be exercising and evaluating capabilities in operating search and rescue missions, standing
up hospitals in a crisis, establishing emergency communications, and coordinating resources
among private sector entities, said Bill Worth, TEMAs East Region Administrator. We play as if it is
a real event to learn where we have gaps and where we can best use resources, so that in a real
event everyone is better prepared.
TNCAT 16 exercise play in East Tennessee will involve activities and locations such as community
recovery efforts at the Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tenn., a Northeast Tennessee Hospital
Coalition hospital exercise in Johnson City, Tenn., a Civil Air Patrol flyover mission, activating the
University of Tennessees Emergency Operations Center, and strategic coordination and planning at
TEMAs East Region Coordination Center (RCC) in Knoxville.
A key participant will be the East Tennessee Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (ET VOAD)
who will conduct a table-top exercise establishing a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC), a key
resource in helping communities and individuals recover after a catastrophic disaster.
During large-scale disaster events, governments will partner with recognized volunteer agencies to
provide many services to those in need before, during and after emergencies, said Charles R. (Bud)Yard, ET VOAD chair. VOAD-affiliated agencies provide shelter, food and water, and work to clear
roads, remove debris and repair homes, among myriad other services to crucial to community
recovery.
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Other entities participating in the TNCAT 16 exercise activities in East Tennessee include: Anderson,
Blount, Campbell, Carter, Claiborne, Cumberland, Knox and Morgan counties, and the TennesseeHighway Patrol, Tennessee Department of Health, and Tennessee Department of Transportation.
TEMA will also activate the State Emergency Operations Center in Nashville for TNCAT 16 exercise
play with TEMAs East RCC, and among representatives from multiple-other state agencies and
counties.
This year, TNCAT is a major emphasis of the Tennessee National Guards statewide emergency
response exercise, or Tennessee Maneuvers 16 (TNMAN 16). TNMAN 16 is simulating series of
emergency drills across the state to exercise the Tennessee Army Guards and Tennessee Air
National Guards unique skills and specialized equipment in coordination with civil authorities in a
disaster.
When challenged with an unexpected disaster, and at the request of civil authorities, our Soldiers
and Airmen are prepared to respond quickly and effectively to save lives, prevent human suffering
and mitigate property damage, said Maj. Gen. Max Haston, Tennessee Adjutant General. Goals
such as unity of effort, teamwork, adaptability, and preparation serve as cornerstones to TNMAN
16, conducted with a local orientation that is critical to real world success in the event the
unthinkable occurs.
ABOUT TEMA
TEMAs mission is to coordinate preparedness, response and recovery from man-made, natural and
technological hazards in a professional and efficient manner in concert with our stakeholders.
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