In Florida
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
An Emergency Preparedness Plan can be accomplished in three simple steps :
Emergencies or disasters can strike at anytime with little warning and may force you to decide to evacuate your current location or stay where you are .
It is important to consider what an emergency or disaster could mean for you and your family , as everyone ’ s needs and abilities are different . We urge every citizen to use this important information to make an emergency preparedness plan .
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Steps
MAKE A KIT
In a significant emergency , First Responders could be delayed in responding to 9-1-1 calls . Therefore , you should have a kit that will provide for you and your family for up to three days ( 72 hrs .) This kit should include all the food , supplies , medications , and documents you may need for you and your family . If you evacuate or relocate you will need to take your kit with you . The Fire Department can provide an emergency preparedness card for the side of your refrigerator or cabinet to help get you started .
MAKE A PLAN
An emergency preparedness plan should be in place prior to an emergency or disaster and shared with other family members or emergency contacts . Your plan should include where you might relocate to if you evacuate from your residence . Evacuation should be considered prior to a hurricane or a tornado if you are not located in a permanent sturdy structure . If you evacuate , do so early ! Your best options are to seek shelter in a permanent sturdy structure ; such as the home of a nearby family member , friend , or a local hotel . Bring your emergency contact numbers and important documents ( insurance forms , wills and cash ) with you . Note : Shelters rarely open ahead of a disaster and should be one of your last options . If you have pets , you should make plans in advance and have knowledge of petfriendly hotels in your area . Many shelters are not pet-friendly unless your pet is a service animal . Also , if you or a family member have special needs , you are encouraged to contact Orange County Health Services at ( 407 ) 836-9319 to discuss being included in their ( People With Special Needs ) registry .
BE INFORMED
Become informed about the various types of emergencies and disasters that might occur in your area . Local radio stations or televisions ( if operable ) can provide important information . In an emergency , the City of Winter Garden and Orange County also have additional resources that may be helpful . Winter Garden Fire Rescue recommends that all citizens ( who use a cell phone as a primary contact ), consider registering their cell phone into the “ CODE RED ” registry located on the Winter Garden Police Department web page at wgpd . com . “ CODE RED ” matches your cell phone to your home address , allowing emergency dispatchers to contact you with pertinent information in an emergency . Orange County also provides a free text and email service at OCALERT . net as well as an OCFL Alert App for smartphones and tablets . Both of these applications can provide you with important weather alerts and shelter information during an emergency . You may also dial 3-1-1 for all non-emergency inquires .
10 | WINTER GARDEN MAGAZINE | JUNE 2017