Hurricane/Emergency Preparedness Seminar held at Good Shepherd Church offers much information
For the third year, a Hurricane/Emergency Preparedness Seminar was held at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church with an interesting and informative panel.
The Good Shepherd Disaster Team that organized the event includes Pastor Tom Willetts, Dutch Hess, Don Parson, Helen Foster, Ron Stevens, Judy Greenstreet, Joan Bowlsby, Bob Sidaris, Judy Stephenson, Len Stern, Bill Boden and Gary Olson. Olson introduced the speakers.
There were presentations from Chief Terry Pye of the North Fort Myers Fire District, WINK-TV meteorologist Lauren Casey, Terry Cerullo from the Florida Department of Financial Services and from the Lee County Emergency Management Office, Special Needs Program Specialist Debbie Quimby and Planning Coordinator Celeste Fournier.
Casey talked about the science of hurricanes, and gave an update on the current predictions for Hurricane Season which begins June 1. “Right now experts say we may have 16 name storms, nine hurricanes and five major hurricanes, but that will be updated in the next few weeks. Right now they are looking at historical trends, and atmospheric and oceanic conditions.”
She also talked about past hurricanes. “Charlie and Wilma are in the top 10 of the most costly hurricanes.”
She also recommended a NOAA –National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration — Weather Radio to be able to get the latest information in case of a power outage. “I always have one,” she said.
North Fort Myers Fire Chief Terry Pye talked about what people need to do in case of an emergency. “No. 1, pay attention to the TV, the radio. Pay attention to meteorologists.
“Always think about evacuation; take a vacation. You are supposed to evacuate a manufactured home at tropical storm level here. If you do plan to go, take you pets with you, turn off your water. Let someone know you are going. It is amazing how many people call from out-of-state if they don’t know your plan; people worry about you.
You need to plan ahead, he said. “Have a gallon of water per person per day, make sure you have your medications, and ice if you have insulin in case power goes out. Publix and many gas stations have stepped up and got generators so we can get gas, medicine and food here in an emergency.”
Plan ahead in case you plan on staying. “Then if you get nervous, you’ll see a list of shelters in guides and on websites, but some may not be open. If you do go, go early to get a good spot.”
He recalled that 2,000 people sheltered at North Fort Myers Academy of the Arts during Hurricane Charlie with no electricity. “Be prepared — we truly don’t know what will happen.”
One of the most important informational facts he noted was that emergency vehicles will ride out a storm. “When storm winds reach over 40 miles per hour sustained, ambulances and fire trucks are not allowed to be on the rode.”
That’s so responders can help as many people as possible after a storm. “Go on vacation; go inland if the storm is near the water, if it heads north, go south.”
“CERT teams here in North Fort Myers are trained to look over their own communities for especially the first 36 hours after a storm, while we (fire and rescue) are busy elsewhere.”
“Hurricanes are not the only danger. I think we had more damage from tornadoes during Charlie than the hurricanes.”
Florida Department of Financial Services Terry Cerullo talked about the financial end of a disaster. “Our role is to work with insurance, so prepare papers and take appropriate documents if you evacuate that you would need — homeowners policy, copy of current banking statements, other insurance and financial papers that are important to you and your family.
“Put together a medical profile. We recommend you visit your doctor and get a profile, go to your pharmacy and get that profile as well,” he said.
“Also, if you have a copy of your investment portfolio have that in case you need it in case of recovery.”
Pet vaccination records could also be important if you have a pet.
“Do a home inventory, take photos of home inventory and exterior of house and of your roof. If you just had roof repaired, keep those receipts and records for adjustors.”
He has dealt with public adjusters and contractors in the past with claims. Before you sign any contract please read it and make sure this is what you want to do.
Lee County Emergency Management Office Special Needs Program Specialist Debbie Quimby said to do your own hazard analysis.
“While doing it ‘write it down’ — the Family Hurricane Plan. On our website to help you assess your risk.” She said that depends on where you live, if you are you in a surge area. “Once you see what your risks are, you can prepare now.”
Also make a plan for your pet, she suggested. “If there is an evacuation order, we want you to go — and make arrangement with friends out of area. Also many hotels out of area are pet friendly as well.”
If it is a wind event, if you live in a mobile and manufactured home, you wouldn’t want to shelter there.
“If you can’t do that, if there are no medical issues, you can stay in a general population shelter. We have 32 in county, but they don’t open all for one event.”
There are Special Needs Shelters, and you have to pre-register for them.
Special Needs Shelters have generators, which can help dialysis patients, insulin dependent diabetics, wheelchair bound and elderly. “Put all of that on your application.”
There is some hospital sheltering –but just for sheltering, not for medical attention. You would need to go to Emergency Room for that within the hospital, and you have to have a companion or a caregiver for the hospital, and have to apply for that each year. “You can go on our website for information and an application.”
You can also apply for transportation as well if you need to get to any shelter and have no transportation. Once you are assigned, you don’t have to go to a shelter if you make alternate plan.
They also have a text message alert, breaking news from EOC which you can also sign up for on the website.
The only current pet friendly shelter is South Fort Myers High School. “Lee County Animal Services runs that, you can call them for more information.”
Planning Coordinator Celeste Fournier talked about the “Pass It On!” program: Help them help others, look out for each other. Help a neighbor get ready, talk though your plan with family and friends.
“Find an emergency buddy, I highly suggest that. Help each other prepare, or work as a group, even just being a point of contact for someone so you can help a family member connect, or calm a friend outside of the area.
The Lee emergency information site is LeeEOC.com.
In other church program news, the VIP (Visually Impaired Persons) is presenting a program at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church on Wednesday, May 11. This program is for anyone with a visual impairment. The presenters will include a person who is blind and her service dog.
VIP of Southwest Florida is a not-for-profit rehabilitation center offering the blind and visually impaired persons classes and services at no charge. The program will take place at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church at 2951 Trail Dairy Circle in North Fort Myers. This program is free to the public.