Huntington Town Supervisor Frank P. Petrone told Town of Huntington department heads Wednesday that all town employees should be on alert that they may be needed this weekend to deal with the potential effects of Hurricane Earl should the storm, now scheduled to pass east of Long Island, cause damage within the area.

Petrone issued his directive during a briefing on the storm's progress and on the town's preparations late Wednesday morning during which each of the department heads described their staff's preparations. It was noted that the Highway and General Services Department's equipment was being put in place should it be needed for evacuations and that emergency generators have been fueled and tested; the Department of Environmental Waste Management arranged for additional staffing at the town's wastewater treatment plant; and the Department of Human Services has 1,000 meals and bottled water available should it be necessary to open the Town of Huntington's Village Green Senior Center for evacuees.

Members of the town also participated in a conference call with County Executive Steve Levy and other elected officials on Wednesday to coordinate possible responses. Petrone added that his liaison to fire and rescue services was participating in regular briefings tracking the storm's progress. The supervisor noted that, if necessary, he would activate the town's Emergency Operations Center to coordinate local efforts.