Created: 10/21/2005 8:42:34 AM 
By Angela Spears First Coast News
ST. AUGUSTINE, FL -- Preparations are underway all over the state for Hurricane Wilma. The storm has slowed down and forecasters don't think it will hit Florida until Monday. Still, that's not stopping the Florida National Guard. It's Emergency Operations Center is now at Level One, that means it's open 24 hours.
Soldiers are working around the clock. Colonel Don Tyre ensures the readiness for deployed soldiers for the entire Florida National Guard. He says the plans have been made, the next step is preparing for deployment. Tyre says most of those who will help out with this storm will come from Orlando and other areas outside of the affected storm areas.
The National Guard has been busy. Soldiers are no stranger to storms. They have responded to 7 storms in the last 14 months. You can't forget about the War on Terrorism. Tyre says he has more than 2,000 troops fighting the war in 5 countries. Despite this, Tyre says the Guard has all the necessary assets it needs to take care of home and abroad.
Tyre says the National Guard has been planning what it will do for Wilma for three days. According to him, "We plan for the worst and hope for the best."
Five thousand guardsmen are on alert. Tyre says, if needed, the Guard has an additional 3,000 soldiers from other states ready to help out.
Soldiers with the Guard have specific duties when they head out to the storm. Tyre says they have three major goals: to help and provide security; conduct search and rescue operations; and provide humanitarian services like handing out food, water and ice.
When, where and just how long they'll be gone, all depends on what path Hurricane Wilma decides to take.
©2009 First coast News. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten, or redistributed.
