1. Citizen Preparedness A Polk County Guide Rosa Ward, Public Education Officer Emergency Management

2. Polk County Organization Board of County Commissioners Board of County Commissioners Department of Public Safety Department of Public Safety Fire Department Emergency Medical Services Emergency Management Division

3. Emergency Operations Center E.O.C.

4. E9-1-1 Call Center

5. E9-1-1 Addressing

6. County Radio Communications Polk C.I. Lakeland Winter Haven Dundee Bartow WelcomeFrostproof Indian Lakes

7. Phases of Emergency Management Mitigation – to cause to become less harsh or hostile : to make less severe or painful 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 Preparedness - to work out the details of : plan in advance Response – to act in return or in answer Response – to act in return or in answer Recovery -to bring back to normal position or condition Recovery -to bring back to normal position or condition

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

9. 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.

11. Hurricanes Measured by the Saffir-Simpson Scale Measured by the Saffir-Simpson Scale Cat 174-95 mphMinimal Cat 296-110 mphModerate Cat 3111-130 mphExtensive Cat 4131-155 mphExtreme Cat 5155+ mphCatastrophic

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

13. ATLANTIC BASIN SEASONAL HURRICANE FORECAST FOR 2007 Dec 2006April 2007 Dec 2006April 2007 Named Storms – 14 17 Named Storms – 14 17 Hurricanes – 7 9 Hurricanes – 7 9 Intense Hurricanes – 3 5 Intense Hurricanes – 3 5 (Category 3+) (Category 3+) - Dr. William Gray

14. 2007 Hurricane Names Andrea Barry Chantal Dean Erin Felix Gabrielle Humberto Ingrid Jerry Karen Andrea Barry Chantal Dean Erin Felix Gabrielle Humberto Ingrid Jerry Karen Lorenzo Melissa Noel Olga Pablo Rebekah Sebastien Tanya Van Wendy

15. 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 contacted the County for housing assistance 2500+ Citizens have contacted the County for housing assistance

16. 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

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

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

19. Citizens Information Line Local (863) 534-0321 Local (863) 534-0321 Toll Free (866) 661-0228 Toll Free (866) 661-0228 Television – All local stations/ Television – All local stations/ The Weather Channel The Weather Channel Radio – Most local stations! WONN 1230 AMWPCV 97.5 FM Radio – Most local stations! WONN 1230 AMWPCV 97.5 FM PGTV Channel 33 on Comcast PGTV Channel 33 on Comcast Channel 19 on Brighthouse Channel 19 on Brighthouse Webstreaming Webstreaming

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

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

22. Disaster Supplies Kit Where should you have a kit? Home Home Work Work Car Car Vacation Home Vacation Home Take one with you on Vacation Take one with you on Vacation

23. Kit Items Water Water Non-perishable foods Non-perishable foods Manual Can opener Manual Can opener Flash Light Flash Light AM/FM Radio (battery) AM/FM Radio (battery) Batteries Batteries Utensils Utensils Medicines Medicines Cash Cash Clothes Clothes Bedding Bedding Hygiene Items Hygiene Items Glasses/Contact Lenses Glasses/Contact Lenses First Aid Kit First Aid Kit Important documents Important documents Quiet time entertainment Quiet time entertainment Phone/Address Book Phone/Address Book Comfort foods Comfort foods Good Shoes Good Shoes Store in Water-proof containers Store in Water-proof containers

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

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

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

27. Shelter Policies NO Weapons NO Weapons NO Alcohol NO Alcohol NO Pets in public shelters* NO Pets in public shelters* Bring own supplies Bring own supplies * only in designated Pet Shelters

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

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

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

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

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

33. Prepare to Become a Volunteer Community Emergency Response Team Community Emergency Response Team Neighborhood Action Teams (NAT) Neighborhood Action Teams (NAT)

34. 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. 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.

35. 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. 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.

36. 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 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

37. Prepare Today for a Safer Tomorrow Self-responsibility! Self-responsibility! Teach those around you to be prepared Teach those around you to be prepared Make your kit today – it is too late after the storm has hit Make your kit today – it is too late after the storm has hit BE AWARE AND PREPARE

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

39. 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

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