Gloria Van Treese, Bureau Chief Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Food Distribution Bureau

Prior to an Event – Planning Is Essential Schools should: Have a disaster preparedness plan in place. Write it now. Don’t wait until disaster hits to “try to figure it out”.

Prior to an Event – Planning Is Essential Schools should: Review and test the plan regularly.

Prior to an Event – Planning Is Essential Schools should: Make contact with appropriate staff at local disaster relief organizations.

Prior to an Event – Planning Is Essential Schools should: Develop contact list – current emergency numbers, including cell phone numbers – who to contact and when. Verify numbers regularly for accuracy.

Prior to an Event – Planning Is Essential Schools should: Have a contingency plan in the event phones are down, busy or unavailable.

Prior to an Event – Planning Is Essential Schools should: Consider dietary “special needs”.

Prior to an Event – Planning Is Essential Schools should: Encourage staff to develop a personal disaster plan and don’t forget a plan for the pets.

Prior to an Event – Planning Is Essential Schools should: Consider designating area for sheltering staff’s families. Staff is more willing to help and is calmer if they’re not worried about their loved ones’ health and safety.

Plan Ahead Maintain stock of 3-5 days worth of non-perishable commodities. Check and rotate stock at least once a year. Maintain stock of 3-5 days worth of non-perishable commodities. Check and rotate stock at least once a year.

Plan Ahead Maintain a supply of non-food items: paper goods, disposable plates, flatware, cups, etc. Determine staffing needs, job duties. Maintain a supply of non-food items: paper goods, disposable plates, flatware, cups, etc. Determine staffing needs, job duties.

Plan Ahead Train staff and backups. Assign job duties. Train staff and backups. Assign job duties.

Preparation is Essential Plan menus, alternatives; include special needs. Determine equipment needs, backups alternatives in case of power failure. Plan menus, alternatives; include special needs. Determine equipment needs, backups alternatives in case of power failure.

Preparation is Essential Maintain sufficient quantity of cleaning supplies, gloves, garbage bags, etc. on hand. Determine who has keys to building, doors, etc. Maintain sufficient quantity of cleaning supplies, gloves, garbage bags, etc. on hand. Determine who has keys to building, doors, etc.

Preparation is Essential Assign responsibility for taking and monitoring food inventories - initial, during and after the event. Practice, Practice, Practice Assign responsibility for taking and monitoring food inventories - initial, during and after the event. Practice, Practice, Practice

Be Prepared to Answer: Who can access and disable any security system? Where are the keys to the storage rooms, freezers, refrigerators? Who can access and disable any security system? Where are the keys to the storage rooms, freezers, refrigerators?

Be Prepared to Answer: Where are the flashlights and extra batteries? Who are your local water and ice vendors? Ascertain availability, delivery times. Where are the flashlights and extra batteries? Who are your local water and ice vendors? Ascertain availability, delivery times.

Be Prepared to Answer: How will trash be handled? Additional pick ups? How will food supplies be replenished? Is there a portable generator? How will trash be handled? Additional pick ups? How will food supplies be replenished? Is there a portable generator?

Be Prepared to Answer: Where is the main power switch, fuse or breaker box? Where is the gas supply source? Servicing? Is there a sufficient amount of coffee and tea available? Where is the main power switch, fuse or breaker box? Where is the gas supply source? Servicing? Is there a sufficient amount of coffee and tea available?

After the Event: Review procedures Analyze response What went right? What worked? What went wrong – need to adjust, revise, or change? Review procedures Analyze response What went right? What worked? What went wrong – need to adjust, revise, or change?

After the Event: Start getting ready for “the next time” And continue practicing Start getting ready for “the next time” And continue practicing

How Does it Work? Federal regulations- 7CFR provides food assistance in situations of disaster. USDA commodities are released to disaster relief organizations for congregate feeding of persons impacted by disaster. Federal regulations- 7CFR provides food assistance in situations of disaster. USDA commodities are released to disaster relief organizations for congregate feeding of persons impacted by disaster.

Where’s the Food? Schools’ storerooms and kitchens School-owned or contracted warehouses State-owned or contracted warehouses Schools’ storerooms and kitchens School-owned or contracted warehouses State-owned or contracted warehouses

Schools’ Responsibility As part of agreement with State commodity distribution agency, schools agree to release commodities for feeding during times of disaster.

Schools’ Responsibility USDA commodities may be used for mass feeding at traditional and non-traditional shelters, feeding sites, comfort stations, etc.

School Food Service Professionals Responsible for their kitchens, equipment, food supplies, etc. Have knowledge and experience with proper use of the equipment. Ensure proper handling of food to prevent food borne illnesses. Responsible for their kitchens, equipment, food supplies, etc. Have knowledge and experience with proper use of the equipment. Ensure proper handling of food to prevent food borne illnesses.

School Food Service Professionals Comply with federal, state, and local food safety regulations. Assist and guide inexperienced volunteers to prevent injuries. Comply with federal, state, and local food safety regulations. Assist and guide inexperienced volunteers to prevent injuries.

School Food Service Professionals In advance, identify who is responsible for shelter management; for example, American Red Cross, County Emergency Operations, etc.