Citizen Preparedness

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Citizen Preparedness

• A Polk County Guide
• Rosa Ward, Public Education Officer
• Emergency Management

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Polk County Organization

• Board of County Commissioners
• Department of Public Safety
• Fire Department
• Emergency Medical Services
• Emergency Management Division

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Emergency Operations CenterE.O.C.
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E9-1-1 Call Center
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E9-1-1 Addressing
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County Radio Communications
Polk C.I.
Winter Haven
Dundee
Lakeland
Bartow
Indian Lakes
Welcome
Frostproof
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Phases of Emergency Management

• Mitigation to cause to become less harsh or
  hostile to make
  less severe or painful
• Preparedness - to work out the details of plan
  in advance
• Response to act in return or in answer
• Recovery -to bring back to normal position or
  condition

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• Hurricane Recovery is like wrestling an
  alligator. You don't quit when you get tired, you
  quit when the alligator gets tired.

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Preparation is Vital

• History teaches that a lack of hurricane
  preparedness and awareness are common threads
  among all major hurricane disasters. By knowing
  your vulnerability and what actions you should
  take, you can reduce the effects of a hurricane
  disaster.
• -Max Mayfield, Director of National Hurricane
  Center.

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Hurricanes

• Measured by the Saffir-Simpson Scale
• Cat 1 74-95 mph Minimal
• Cat 2 96-110 mph Moderate
• Cat 3 111-130 mph Extensive
• Cat 4 131-155 mph Extreme
• Cat 5 155 mph Catastrophic

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Naming the Storms

• Six name lists are used in rotation
• Names are retired when they are so deadly or
  costly that the continued use would be
  inappropriate
• Complete list can be found at www.nhc.noaa.gov
  under Storm Names.

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ATLANTIC BASIN SEASONAL HURRICANE FORECAST FOR
2007

• Dec 2006 April 2007
• Named Storms 14 17
• Hurricanes 7 9
• Intense Hurricanes 3 5
• (Category 3)
• -Dr. William Gray

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2007 Hurricane Names

• AndreaBarryChantalDeanErinFelixGabrielleHum
  bertoIngridJerryKaren

LorenzoMelissaNoelOlgaPabloRebekahSebastien
TanyaVanWendy
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Polk Countys 2004 Hurricanes By the Numbers

• 55,325 Structures Damaged
• 2,699 Structures Destroyed
• 2.2 Mil Cubic yards - Debris processed
• 14 Deaths the highest number
  Of any County in the
  State
• 2500 Citizens have contacted the
  County for housing assistance

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Polk Countys 2004 Hurricanes By the Numbers

• Approx. 5000 FEMAs Operation
  Blue Roof
• 1.35 million Impact on County facilities
• 20,900 Total sheltered population
  (3 storms combined)
• 40 million Monetary impact to county

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Preparation is Vital

• Preparation through education is less costly
  than learning through tragedy.-Max Mayfield,
  Director of National Hurricane Center.

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Getting Staying Informed

• Emergency Alert System
• Local Media
• NOAA Radio (Weather Conditions)
• Telephone Calls, The Communicator
• County website www.polk-county.net
• Ultimately YOU are responsible for YOU!
• Stay informed.

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Citizens Information Line

• Local [phone]
• Toll Free [phone]
• Television All local stations/
• The Weather Channel
• Radio Most local stations!WONN 1230 AM WPCV
  97.5 FM
• PGTV Channel 33 on Comcast
• Channel 19 on Brighthouse
• Webstreaming

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Planning for Evacuations

• Mandatory compared to Voluntary
• Keep a full tank of gas in your car if an
  evacuation seems likely
• Plan for other transportation if you do not drive
• Be alert for washed-out roads

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Assess Special Needs

• Hearing/Vision impaired
• Mobility impaired
• Electrically/Oxygen dependent
• Transportation assistance required
• Special dietary needs
• Special Needs Shelter information
• Three Special Needs Shelters

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Disaster Supplies Kit Where should you have a
kit?

• Home
• Work
• Car
• Vacation Home
• Take one with you on Vacation

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Kit Items

• Water
• Non-perishable foods
• Manual Can opener
• Flash Light
• AM/FM Radio (battery)
• Batteries
• Utensils
• Medicines
• Cash
• Clothes
• Bedding

• Hygiene Items
• Glasses/Contact Lenses
• First Aid Kit
• Important documents
• Quiet time entertainment
• Phone/Address Book
• Comfort foods
• Good Shoes
• Store in Water-proof containers

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Weather Radio

• NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards is provided as a
  public service by the National Oceanic and
  Atmospheric Administrations National Weather
  Service. Radios may be purchased from many
  retail outlets, catalogs and direct from the
  manufacturer via the internet. Costs range from
  20-200.
• For more information on weather radios, visit
  www.nws.noaa.gov.

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Kit Maintenance

• Keep canned foods in a dry place
• Store boxed foods in tightly closed plastic or
  metal containers to protect from pests
• Throw away canned goods that become dented,
  corroded, or expired
• Rotate your foods yearly
• Re-assess your needs each year

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Shelter

• Stay Home
• Friend or families homes
• Hotel/motel
• Evacuate Area
• Last resort Public Shelter
• Make decision early
• Be a Host home

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Shelter Policies

• NO Weapons
• NO Alcohol
• NO Pets in public shelters
• Bring own supplies
• only in designated Pet Shelters

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Pet Shelters

• Lime Street Elementary
• Alta Vista Elementary
• Lake Region High School
• Not a pet drop off point
• Must bring food and supplies
• Must be in pet carrier

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Caring for Animals

• Gather pet supplies
• Ensure your pet has proper i.d.
• Update Vaccinations
• Have up-to-date vet records
• Consider Pet I.D. Chip
• Provide a pet carrier and leash
• Label Pet Carrier and all Items
• Take current photo of pet

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Take Protective Measures

• Secure your property
• Board up windows, TAPE IS A MYTH
• Trim trees and shrubs
• Bring in loose items
• Secure boats
• Fill bathtub with water (or other large container)

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When the Hurricane Approaches

• Get information from media, County website and
  Citizens Information Line
• Purchase indoor antenna rabbit ears
• Turn off utilities if instructed otherwise, turn
  refrigerator to coldest setting
• Avoid using the phone, except during serious
  emergencies (purchase wall plug phone)
• Have a battery powered radio

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Tornadoes

• Tampa Bay Region is Vulnerable
• Always move to the interior part of your home. A
  room with no windows,
• maybe a bathroom or closet
• If you are outside, seek shelter immediately or
  lie down in the nearest ditch or culvert

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Prepare to Become a Volunteer

• Community Emergency Response Team
• Neighborhood Action Teams (NAT)

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Neighborhood Action Teams (NAT) Network

• In coordination with the Polk County Sheriff's
  Office, Polk County Fire Services, and Polk
  County Emergency Management, RSVP volunteers will
  be trained in emergency response and disaster
  preparedness principles and those volunteers will
  then form action teams in their neighborhoods.

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Consider this Forming a CERT Team

• CERT Teams can make the difference by using their
  training to save lives and protect property. With
  training, practice, and working together as a
  team, CERT members will be able to do the
  greatest good for the greatest number after a
  disaster, while protecting themselves from
  becoming victims.

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Training Includes

• The following subjects are covered-Introduction
  to CERT and Team Building-Fire Suppression and
  Hazardous Materials-Emergency Medical
  Service-Search and Rescue-Legal issues in
  Disaster and Preparation-Planning and putting it
  to Practice

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Prepare Today for a Safer Tomorrow

• Self-responsibility!
• Teach those around you to be prepared
• Make your kit today it is too late after the
  storm has hit
• BE AWARE AND PREPARE

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• YOU should be prepared
• to live at home for a minimum
• of 7 days without the needs for
• water, food or other supplies
• from the outside.

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Final Thought.

• Don't knock the weather nine-tenths of the
  people couldn't start a conversation if it didn't
  change once in a while
• -Ken Hubbard

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Thank You

• If you would like to have a member of Emergency
  Management speak to your church or civic group
  please call (863) 519-FIRE (3473).