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Intern Gains New Outlook on Emergency Preparedness
By Brittany Brown | February 3, 2010
As an intern with the emergency management office, David Kidd has gained exposure to the national response framework and the role of federal agencies in preparation for emergencies. (U.S. Army photo by Brittany Brown) The Norfolk District's Emergency Management Office welcomes Virginia Beach native David Kidd with open arms during his summer, winter and holiday breaks from college.
Kidd, a Virginia Wesleyan College student studying communications with a focus on media studies and journalism, supplements his academic studies with valuable work experience at the Corps' Norfolk district.
As an intern with the emergency management office, Kidd has gained exposure to the national response framework and the role of federal agencies in preparation for emergencies.
"Before this internship, I knew nothing about emergency management, but since this past summer and winter break, my eyes have really been opened to the importance of being prepared for severe weather," said Kidd.
Last summer Kidd attended a three-day public information officer's training course in Lynchburg, Va., provided by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management.
Additionally, Kidd participated in a Point of Distribution (POD) functional exercise organized by the City of Virginia Beach. For Kidd, the exercise was an in-depth look into the planning, operations and demobilization stages of distributing emergency supplies.
"The POD training was a great exercise to see. Actually, seeing it gave me a clear understanding of the preparations that go into emergency management," said Kidd.
In the event of an emergency, a POD site houses truckloads of water, ice, ready-to-eat meals and emergency supplies in strategic locations throughout the Commonwealth."Before this internship, I knew nothing about emergency management, but since this past summer and winter break, my eyes have really been opened to the importance of being prepared for severe weather." - David Kidd
Virginia Governor Tim Kaine declared a state of emergency Nov. 11 due to severe flooding in the southeastern areas of the state. A coastal storm, fed by moisture from the remnants of Tropical Storm Ida resulted in the activation of the Emergency Operations Center to mobilize agencies, including the Army Corps, in preparation for severe flooding and power outages.
While severe flooding swept the Hampton Roads area, Norfolk District's Twitter and Facebook Web sites provided updates to district employees, citizens and stakeholders about accountability procedures, weather conditions and road closures.
Before returning to Virginia Wesleyan College for the spring 2010 semester, Kidd is updating the district's hurricane response plan with an emphasis on strategic communication responsibilities, which details protocols, preparations and procedures during emergencies such as the recent flooding.
Kidd's update to Norfolk District's hurricane response plan incorporates innovative and integrated methods of dealing with emergencies, including an analysis of the latest Web 2.0 tools.
Since joining the Norfolk District team in May 2009, Kidd's internship experiences with the emergency management office allowed him to fulfill Virginia Wesleyan's internship requirement.
When the spring 2010 semester starts Jan. 25, Kidd will continue his communications studies. Kidd is enrolled in media law, online journalism and advertising courses in addition to a journalism workshop for the school newspaper.
Kidd is slated to receive his bachelor's degree in communications in June 2011.
Story originally posted on the Norfolk District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Web site.