Marion Emergency Management Director Dale Jones was cited for excellence because of his work during a hurricane drill earlier this month.

"It is good to know that we have talented and dedicated people such as yourself protecting our communities," wrote Douglas P. Forbes, Region II Local Coordinator at the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. In his letter, Forbes commends Jones for providing excellent assistance to the Town of Marion during emergencies.

The "Hurricane Hannah" exercise was a region-wide exercise in Southeastern Massachusetts that included numerous emergency management directors and their staffs as well as amateur radio operators.  This was the first time a drill had been held with such heavy reliance on radio communications.

Jones and Frederick Bacon, his radio operator, were the Marion participants in the event.

"Hurricane training exercises such as these are extremely valuable in preparing both state and local officials for the task of enhancing the public safety of the residents of the Commonwealth," said Forbes.