Before a storm threatens our area

It’s that time of year again where our thoughts turn to hurricane season and more importantly hurricane preparedness. We have been extremely fortunate over the past several years having been spared from any real threat. That being said, emergency experts fear that we have become complacent. Let’s prove them wrong!

Before a storm threatens our area:

Stock up on food and water and any medications you require.

Plan an evacuation route; have a shelter in mind.  If you or loved ones have special needs, contact the special needs coordinator at 561-712-6400, as advance reservations are required.

If you live in an evacuation zone, mobile/manufactured home, are physically handicapped, and have no
other means of transportation, you can preregister for transportation assistance with Palm Tran Connection by calling 561-649-9838.

Make arrangements in advance for your pet.  (The County has one pet-friendly shelter, but it is only for pets and people living in mandatory evacuation zones or in mobile homes. Preregistration is required.) For more information, contact Animal Care and Control at http://www.pbcgov.com/publicsafety/animalcare/petshelter.htm.

Assess your landscaping to determine if trees need to be trimmed or ornaments removed before a storm. Once a watch or warning has been issued, do not trim vegetation of any kind.

Check to see if your community has a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).

A CERT team is a community-based organization of residents who learn how to take emergency response actions in safe ways until the professional emergency responders can respond.  These volunteers learn how to work in a coordinated manner caring for those citizens within their community affected by a disaster.  The Division of Emergency Management has trained 180 CERT volunteers throughout Palm Beach County in disaster preparedness, disaster medical services, light urban search and rescue for trapped citizens, disaster communications, disaster psychology and terrorism. 
In the aftermath of a major disaster such as a hurricane, emergency crews are quickly overwhelmed, causing delays of hours or even days. For this reason, Palm Beach County Emergency Management offers the Community Emergency Response Team course. The basic course lasts for four weeks with a total time commitment of six hours per week.

Community Emergency Response Team also offers a program for teens.

If you would like further information about CERT, or if you would like to be considered for an available Palm Beach County CERT class, you may call 561-712-6400.

For a detailed list of County services and a complete preparation checklist, I invite you to visit the Hurricane Guide .

Palm Beach County Emergency Operations Center hosted our annual Statewide Hurricane Exercise on Monday, May 23, 2011. This annual event provides County staff the opportunity to coordinate, execute and evaluate the County’s emergency plans for full-scale hurricane activation. By all accounts, the exercise was a success.  We’re ready! Are you?

If I can be of assistance, or if you have any comments and/or suggestions, you can reach me at svana@pbcgov.org or at my office at 561-355-2203.  Or, visit my website http://pbcgov.com/countycommissioners/district3.

It’s an honor serving you!

Shelley Vana