Press Release:

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla.--

The Florida National Guard activated its planning cells and alerted units in preparation for Tropical Storm Ida as the storm approached the Gulf Coast Monday morning.

The Guard's activation of the Joint Emergency Operations Center in St.
Augustine, unit planning cells across the state, and the movement of the
Guard's senior leaders to the State Emergency Operations Center in
Tallahassee, came as Florida Governor Charlie Crist signed an Executive Order Monday to support operations in advance of Tropical Storm Ida.

The executive order allows the Florida Adjutant General to preposition Guards units prior to a storm making landfall. While activated for state duty the Florida National Guard will serve in support of the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

"It's important for the people of Florida to know the citizen-Soldiers and
Airmen of the Florida National Guard are prepared to respond to this storm as assigned by the Florida Division of Emergency Management," said Maj. Gen. Douglas Burnett, the Adjutant General of Florida. "The National Guard is poised to provide humanitarian aid, security, equipment, debris removal, and search and rescue assistance."

The Florida National Guard has more than 9,000 Soldiers and Airmen available who can respond to various, and simultaneous emergencies in Florida, including efforts to deter terrorist-related activities.