Citizen PreparednessCitizen PreparednessA Polk County GuideA Polk County Guide

Rosa Ward, Public Education Officer Rosa Ward, Public Education Officer

Emergency ManagementEmergency Management

Polk County OrganizationPolk County Organization

Board of County CommissionersBoard of County Commissioners

Department of Public Safety Department of Public Safety

Fire DepartmentFire Department

Emergency Medical ServicesEmergency Medical Services

Emergency Management DivisionEmergency Management Division

Emergency Operations CenterEmergency Operations CenterE.O.C.E.O.C.

County Radio County Radio CommunicationsCommunications

Polk C.I.

LakelandWinter Haven

Dundee

Bartow

Welcome Frostproof Indian Lakes

Phases of Emergency Phases of Emergency ManagementManagement

Mitigation – Mitigation – to cause to become less harsh or hostile : to cause to become less harsh or hostile : to make less severe or painful to make less severe or painful

Preparedness - Preparedness - to work out the details of to work out the details of :: plan in plan in advance advance

Response – Response – to act in return or in answerto act in return or in answer

Recovery -Recovery -to bring back to normal position or conditionto bring back to normal position or condition

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

Preparation is VitalPreparation 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.

HurricanesHurricanes

Measured by the Saffir-Simpson ScaleMeasured by the Saffir-Simpson Scale

Cat 1Cat 1 74-95 mph74-95 mph MinimalMinimal

Cat 2Cat 2 96-110 mph96-110 mph ModerateModerate

Cat 3Cat 3 111-130 mph111-130 mph ExtensiveExtensive

Cat 4Cat 4 131-155 mph131-155 mph Extreme Extreme

Cat 5Cat 5 155+ mph155+ mphCatastrophicCatastrophic

Naming the StormsNaming the Storms

Six name lists are used in rotationSix name lists are used in rotation

Names are “retired” when they are so Names are “retired” when they are so deadly or costly that the continued use deadly or costly that the continued use would be inappropriatewould be inappropriate

Complete list can be found at Complete list can be found at www.nhc.noaa.govwww.nhc.noaa.gov under “Storm Names.”under “Storm Names.”

2007 Hurricane Names2007 Hurricane Names AndreaAndrea

BarryBarryChantalChantalDeanDeanErinErinFelixFelixGabrielleGabrielleHumbertoHumbertoIngridIngridJerryJerryKarenKaren

LorenzoLorenzoMelissaMelissaNoelNoelOlgaOlgaPabloPabloRebekahRebekahSebastienSebastienTanyaTanyaVanVanWendyWendy

Polk County’s 2004 HurricanesPolk County’s 2004 Hurricanes By the Numbers 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 contacted the

County for housing assistance County for housing assistance

Polk County’s 2004 Hurricanes Polk County’s 2004 Hurricanes By the NumbersBy the Numbers

Approx. 5000 FEMA’s Operation “Blue Roof”

$1.35 million Impact on County facilities

20,900 Total sheltered population (3 storms combined)

$40 million+ Monetary impact to county

Preparation is VitalPreparation is Vital

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

Getting & Staying InformedGetting & Staying Informed

Emergency Alert SystemEmergency Alert System Local MediaLocal Media NOAA Radio (Weather Conditions)NOAA Radio (Weather Conditions) Telephone Calls, “The Communicator”Telephone Calls, “The Communicator” County website – County website – www.polk-county.netwww.polk-county.net

Ultimately YOU are responsible for YOU! Ultimately YOU are responsible for YOU!

Stay informed.Stay informed.

Citizens Information LineCitizens Information Line Local (863) 534-0321Local (863) 534-0321 Toll Free (866) 661-0228Toll Free (866) 661-0228

Television – All local stations/Television – All local stations/ The Weather ChannelThe Weather Channel

Radio – Most local stations!Radio – Most local stations!WONN 1230 AMWONN 1230 AM WPCV 97.5 FMWPCV 97.5 FM

PGTV Channel 33 on ComcastPGTV Channel 33 on Comcast Channel 19 on Brighthouse Channel 19 on Brighthouse WebstreamingWebstreaming

Planning for EvacuationsPlanning for Evacuations

Mandatory compared to VoluntaryMandatory compared to Voluntary Keep a full tank of gas in your car if an Keep a full tank of gas in your car if an

evacuation seems likelyevacuation seems likely Plan for other transportation if you do not Plan for other transportation if you do not

drivedrive Be alert for washed-out roadsBe alert for washed-out roads

Assess Special NeedsAssess Special Needs

Hearing/Vision impairedHearing/Vision impaired Mobility impairedMobility impaired Electrically/Oxygen dependentElectrically/Oxygen dependent Transportation assistance requiredTransportation assistance required Special dietary needsSpecial dietary needs

Special Needs Shelter informationSpecial Needs Shelter information Three Special Needs SheltersThree Special Needs Shelters

Disaster Supplies KitDisaster Supplies Kit

Where should you have a kit? Where should you have a kit?

Home Home WorkWork CarCar Vacation Home Vacation Home Take one with you on VacationTake one with you on Vacation

Kit ItemsKit Items WaterWater Non-perishable foodsNon-perishable foods Manual Can openerManual Can opener Flash LightFlash Light AM/FM Radio AM/FM Radio

(battery)(battery) BatteriesBatteries UtensilsUtensils MedicinesMedicines Cash Cash ClothesClothes BeddingBedding

Hygiene ItemsHygiene Items Glasses/Contact Glasses/Contact

LensesLenses First Aid KitFirst Aid Kit Important documentsImportant documents Quiet time Quiet time

entertainmententertainment Phone/Address BookPhone/Address Book Comfort foodsComfort foods Good ShoesGood Shoes Store in Water-proof Store in Water-proof

containerscontainers

Weather RadioWeather Radio

NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards is provided as NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards is provided as a public service by the National Oceanic and a public service by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service. Radios may be purchased from many Service. Radios may be purchased from many retail outlets, catalogs and direct from the retail outlets, catalogs and direct from the manufacturer via the internet. Costs range from manufacturer via the internet. Costs range from $20-$200.$20-$200.

For more information on weather radios, For more information on weather radios, visit visit www.nws.noaa.govwww.nws.noaa.gov. .

Kit MaintenanceKit Maintenance

Keep canned foods in a dry placeKeep canned foods in a dry place Store boxed foods in tightly closed plastic Store boxed foods in tightly closed plastic

or metal containers to protect from pestsor metal containers to protect from pests Throw away canned goods that become Throw away canned goods that become

dented, corroded, or expireddented, corroded, or expired Rotate your foods yearlyRotate your foods yearly Re-assess your needs each yearRe-assess your needs each year

ShelterShelter

Stay HomeStay Home Friend or families homesFriend or families homes Hotel/motelHotel/motel Evacuate AreaEvacuate Area Last resort: Public ShelterLast resort: Public Shelter Make decision earlyMake decision early

Be a Host home Be a Host home

Shelter PoliciesShelter Policies

NO WeaponsNO Weapons NO AlcoholNO Alcohol NO Pets in public shelters*NO Pets in public shelters* Bring own suppliesBring own supplies

**only in designated Pet Sheltersonly in designated Pet Shelters

Pet SheltersPet Shelters

Lime Street ElementaryLime Street Elementary Alta Vista ElementaryAlta Vista Elementary Lake Region High SchoolLake Region High School Not a pet drop off pointNot a pet drop off point Must bring food and suppliesMust bring food and supplies Must be in pet carrierMust be in pet carrier

Caring for AnimalsCaring for Animals

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

Take Protective MeasuresTake Protective Measures

Secure your propertySecure your property Board up windows, TAPE IS A MYTHBoard up windows, TAPE IS A MYTH Trim trees and shrubsTrim trees and shrubs Bring in loose itemsBring in loose items Secure boatsSecure boats Fill bathtub with water (or other large Fill bathtub with water (or other large

container)container)

When the Hurricane When the Hurricane ApproachesApproaches

Get information from media, County Get information from media, County website and Citizen’s Information Linewebsite and Citizen’s Information Line

Purchase indoor antenna ‘rabbit ears’Purchase indoor antenna ‘rabbit ears’ Turn off utilities if instructed; otherwise, Turn off utilities if instructed; otherwise,

turn refrigerator to coldest settingturn refrigerator to coldest setting Avoid using the phone, except during Avoid using the phone, except during

serious emergencies (purchase wall plug serious emergencies (purchase wall plug phone)phone)

Have a battery powered radioHave a battery powered radio

TornadoesTornadoes

Tampa Bay Region is VulnerableTampa Bay Region is Vulnerable Always move to the interior part of your Always move to the interior part of your

home. A room with no windows, home. A room with no windows,

maybe a bathroom or closetmaybe a bathroom or closet If you are outside, seek shelter If you are outside, seek shelter

immediately or lie down in the nearest immediately or lie down in the nearest ditch or culvertditch or culvert

Prepare to Become a VolunteerPrepare to Become a Volunteer

Community Emergency Response TeamCommunity Emergency Response Team

Neighborhood Action Teams (NAT)Neighborhood Action Teams (NAT)

Neighborhood Action Teams (NAT) Neighborhood Action Teams (NAT) NetworkNetwork

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

Consider this Forming a CERT Consider this Forming a CERT TeamTeam

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

Training Includes:Training Includes:

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

Prepare Today for a Safer Prepare Today for a Safer TomorrowTomorrow

Self-responsibility!Self-responsibility!

Teach those around you to be preparedTeach those around you to be prepared

Make your kit today – it is too late after the Make your kit today – it is too late after the storm has hitstorm has hit

BE AWARE AND PREPAREBE AWARE AND PREPARE

YOU should be prepared should be prepared

to live at home for a minimumto live at home for a minimum

of 7 days without the needs forof 7 days without the needs for

water, food or other supplies water, food or other supplies

from the outside.from the outside.

Final Thought….Final Thought….

Don't knock the weather; nine-tenths of the Don't knock the weather; nine-tenths of the people couldn't start a conversation if it people couldn't start a conversation if it

didn't change once in a while didn't change once in a while -Ken Hubbard-Ken Hubbard

Thank YouThank You

If you would like to have a member of Emergency If you would like to have a member of Emergency Management speak to your church or civic group Management speak to your church or civic group

please call (863) 519-FIRE (3473)please call (863) 519-FIRE (3473)..