Central students prep for the next ‘Big One’

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Students from high schools across the Town of Hempstead were recently put to the test when they took part in a mock hurricane drill held by the town to raise awareness of the dangers that big storms present and how the town responds to them. Among the participants were Bellmore-Merrick Central School District students.

The drill took place at Town of Hempstead Hall on May 23. Dozens of students from 10 area high schools participated and were sworn in as temporary “department heads,” charged with responding to a fictitious hurricane.

It was all part of the town’s annual Students in Government Day.

“Well over three years have passed since Hurricane Sandy wreaked havoc on communities throughout the Town of Hempstead,” Supervisor Anthony Santino said, “but the path of destruction is still evident, with homes being repaired and beaches opening for the summer season.”

Among the high schools taking part in the exercise were Division Avenue, Elmont, Garden City, Hewlett, Bellmore-John F. Kennedy, Kellenberg Memorial, MacArthur, Mepham, Sewanhaka and Valley Stream South.

Students learned about the importance of government coordination during a catastrophe. “As hurricane season is about to commence yet again, this program is a great opportunity for 11th-grade government students to experience firsthand how government responds during times of crisis,” Santino said.

Students ended the day with a final emergency management meeting, at which they provided brief summaries of what happened in their departments. A question-and-answer session with Santino followed.

“These students are all learning about government this year, and Students in Government Day is a truly hands-on lesson for them,” the supervisor said.