The Chatham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) will participate in one of the biggest exercises in state of Georgia.

HURREX 2012, is a statewide hurricane exercise, that will take place the week of May 14, 2012. CEMA will test four of Chatham County's hurricane emergency operations plans. The full-scale exercises are conducted every two years and counties throughout the State, as well as the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA), will be participating. "HURREX is beneficial to our agency and the community because it allows us to take our plans off the shelves, test them, correct any problems that arise, and do it before hurricane season kicks off in June," said CEMA Director Clayton Scott.

CEMA staff members have spent countless hours planning the three full days of exercising. In all, the three days will involve close to 600 people, including volunteers and local agencies that play a role in hurricane response and recovery. Some of the agencies participating are: Chatham County Health Department, American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Georgia National Guard, Chatham County Mosquito Control's Aviation Team, Municipal Law Enforcement Agencies, and Chatham County Public Works.

Here is a look at the schedule for the week:

May 14th - Special Needs Exercise. This exercise will involve more than 60 volunteers, Chatham County Health Department, and American Red Cross. The exercise will test the evacuation of people with special medical needs.

May 15th - Evacuation Assembly Area Exercise. This exercise will involve the evacuation of the general public without means of transportation. The will take place at the Savannah Civic Center and more than 250 volunteers and pets will be needed to play evacuees who will be sent through the registration process and loaded on buses.

May 16th - Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and Joint Information Center (JIC) Exercises. The EOC is where response and recovery efforts are coordinated before, during, and after a hurricane. The JIC is the site from which media and public information is coordinated.

CEMA will also be assisting GEMA with its State Operations Center and Aviation Support Operations Center exercises, along with supporting a Georgia Search and Rescue Operation.

Volunteers are needed as role players on May 14th and May 15th. Volunteers will be needed from 8:00 am until 11:30 am. Click here for more information or to register.