Powhatan’s Emergency Management Coordinator Floyd Greene can’t see into the future to tell when the next big storm or other emergency will hit the county. But with simulated emergency situations, like the one the county plans to stage on July 11 at Powhatan High School, they can have a “dress rehearsal” of sorts.

The simulation will test the procedures the county currently has in place for a major incident, including the use of the high school as an emergency shelter.

The exercise, which is expected to begin around 9 a.m., will involve the County Department of Social Services, the Red Cross, and the county Sheriff’s Department and organizers will try to tackle as many scenarios as possible.

As for what the people involved in the simulation might face, Greene said they should be prepared for anything

“We try to make it as realistic as possible within reason,” said Greene. “We don’t want to overwhelm [participants] but we try to make it a little bit challenging.”

While Greene admits that all the practice in the world won’t necessarily prepare rescue and aid groups for the reality of a county-wide emergency, a few hours of practice can go a long way in identifying parts of the plan that need to be tweaked.

They may find that the procedure for registering those who come to the shelter could be more efficient, said Greene, or that certain duties assigned to one group could be more easily handled by another.

“It’s not the real thing,” he said, “but it’s closer than drawing it out on a piece of paper.”

Greene said the county is still looking for volunteers to serve as role players during the simulation.

Volunteers should report to the high school between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Lunch will be provided and volunteers are encouraged to bring their children.

For more information, contact Floyd Greene at (804) 598-5646 (check this) or no later than July 9, 2008.