Emergency Recovery Chief Speaks

By -

Scott Montgomery Recovery Chief Sarasota Emergency Management spoke to the Lake Sarasota Community Group on June 10th.

His EOC responsibilities are, in the event of a disaster:
  • set up points of neigh distribution - free water, mre's blue tarps.
  • damage assessment
  • preparedness


On the Oil spill - "lots of rumors going around"


Only report of oil reaching Florida coast so far is in Pensacola 


Oil plume is 200 miles from St. Pete, 250 miles from Sarasota's shoreline. 


Current projections: the giant oil is moving south and away from us.


If BP were to abandon the recovery effort, the county has a contingency plan and response organizational chart.


Florida beaches are open. If oil reaches us, it will be weathered, i.e., tar balls or patties, not a sheen.


We are in a "forbidden zone" which means, currents don't naturally push things to our shore.



Emergency Management Plans for Hurricanes


Every county has an emergency mgmt plan


Public Safety Advisory Group


Policy Group - the key agencies and cities and town.


Hurricanes: The prognosis is not good.


We're looking at an active season
  • 14-23 named storms
  • of which, 8-14 hurricanes
  • of which, 3 to 7 intense hurricanes.


El Nino warms the Pacific - winds blow from the west - pushes hurricanes canes away
Now it's gone away - things are in a neutral state
The Atlantic is a bit warmer than usual, suggesting a more active season.


Be prepared. One way is to familiarize yourself with the county's online resources (see also links to weather and storm info on right).







The County has a Disaster planning CD - plan pre-during-after storm. 


we have about 206 neighborhoods that have completed their disaster plans


5 are pet friendly - dogs and cats only, no snakes, etc.
The county doesn't open all 38 at once - it open some, then more as necessary, depending on location of storm, etc.


Neighborhood Preparedness Program - Neighborhoods can sign up to hear five talks about all aspects of preparedness, of which tonight's talk by Scott was one.


All Hazards brochure.


Be prepared for 7 days.

Things to have on hand:
  • cash
  • prescriptions
  • gas
  • food
  • water


Emergency kit:

  • first aid
  • water 1 gal. per person per day
  • foods
  • batteries
  • non electric can opener
  • flashlights wi/batteries
  • mosquto repellent 
  • fire extinguisher
  • instant tire sealers
  • whistle and distress flag
  • 2 coolers (1 food/1 ice)
  • flashlights with batteries
All Hazards Emergency Car Kit


NOAA radio is recommended.


After a disaster, if you're ok, put a green ribbon on your door.


If you're going to evacuate, tell your neighbors your plan - where you plan to evacuate to.


Means of Communication after a catastrophic event:
ham operators
walkie talkies


Scott also gave several Handouts, which can be obtained from the county:


2010 Hurricane Guide


Home Safety Planner


Homeowner's insurance


FEMA - individual insurance 


Scott can return to talk about individual assistance plans.



Comments

Anonymous said…
Looks like it was a great meeting! Sorry we missed it! -TB
1:56 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Bee Ridge Road Public Hearing: Update

By -
On Wed., Oct. 28, at 1 p.m., the Sarasota County Commission will hold a public hearing concerning plans for Bee Ridge Rd. east of I-75. Engineers will explain plans and probably answer questions, and presumably public comment will be invited. The hearing will be in the Commission chambers on Ringling Blvd. For more background on Bee Ridge projects, click here . Important update from the Bee Ridge Neighborhoods Committee : The Public Hearing is still at 1 pm, but the actual presentation from the Engineers has been moved to 4:30 pm on Wed. Oct. 28: County Staff has met with Commissioners earlier this week to secure their input and questions in preparation for the Wednesday, Oct 28 Commissioner meeting. This meeting will begin at 4.30 PM. Bee Ridge Road Construction will be the third agenda item. The County Administration Building is located downtown on Ringling Boulevard, across from the Post Office, just east of Orange Avenue. Come early to secure parking, located behind the building...
Read more

Water Moccasin or Water Snake?

By -
Image
At the Lakeview Park Clean-Up, some residents were picking up some branches of a tree when a dangerous Water Moccasin slithered out and dashed into the water. It might be useful to know one when you see it, but the differences between the venomous Florida Water Moccasin (or Cottonmouth) and the wholly harmless Water Snake can be subtle. Here are a few images and links that might help. First, here's a Water Moccasin Another shot of a Water Moccasin (click for a huge image): Here's the plain old harmless Florida Water Snake: Another clue (thanks Ray): When in water, Water Moccasins move on top of the water - almost as if they were gliding on the surface, like this: Water Moccasins are to be met with extreme caution. "When a moccasin is nesting or has her young in their nest it will aggressively defend that area," says Ray. "Moccasins have aggressively attacked people." Water Snakes tend to be partly submerged, partly out of the water, more like this: Click f...
Read more