THE AMERICAN CONSULATE GENERAL -  May 27, 2008

US Consul General Gregory Slayton addresses the joint US/Bermuda crisis management team.

HURRICANE SEASON APPROACHES:  US CITIZENS URGED TO SIGN UP FOR CONSULATE WARDEN MESSAGES         

On May 23, 2008, the American Consulate hosted a tabletop Crisis Management Exercise as part of the worldwide exercise program. The purpose of the exercise was to simulate a real emergency situation, thereby giving emergency responders the information they will need in a real crisis.

Consul General Slayton took the opportunity of this exercise to urge Americans resident on the island to sign up to receive warden messages, which would give them the necessary information to act in an emergency. “Registering at the American Consulate alerts us to your presence so that we can contact you in the event of an emergency.  For example, during a disaster overseas, American consular officers can assist in evacuation were that to become necessary. But they cannot assist you if your whereabouts are unknown. By providing your email address, the Consulate also has in place a method to disseminate important information to you via what we call ‘warden messages.’ To receive warden messages, register online at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/.”

The emergency response exercise, which is conducted on a regular basis at overseas missions, draws on both Consulate and external expertise and is designed to instruct participants on how to respond to emergencies of various types.  Consul General Gregory W. Slayton kicked off the session.

Others participating in the exercise were U.S. Customs and Border Protection Port Director Stephen Greenberg, Deputy U.S. Principal Officer Matthew Johnson, and Bermuda policemen, emergency response team leaders, and the Bermuda Regiment’s Plans/Operations Officer. 

Crisis Management Team Leader Douglas Kinney facilitated the exercise, which featured response to a Category Five Hurricane striking Bermuda as well as a shorter scenario on a hostage situation at L.F. Wade International Airport involving an aircraft held by the hostage-takers.