Disaster Preparedness 12-13 Sible Not to Have a Disaster Plan for Discuss Your Plan with Your Fam- Gencies and Having a Plan of Action When Those Emergencies Do Occur
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Elder Update - Special Edition May/June 2011 http://elderaffairs.state.fl.us Volume 22, Number 3 evacuation assistance should they In this issue need it. If you meet those needs, and Hurricane Season 2-4 A Message family or friends are not available to A Message help you, you may qualify for assis- Fires 5 From the tance services. Register with your From the local emergency management agen- Floods 6 Secretary cy before disaster strikes. Governor Tornadoes 7 Interim Secretary Charles T. Corley Whatever your circumstances, each Department of Elder Affairs family or household needs to have a By Rick Scott Lightning & Severe Thunderstorms 8 plan to protect itself during a disas- Living in a coastal state, we are ter. This plan should include what As Floridians, we celebrate our Hazardous Materials 9 inevitably faced with certain risks you will do and where you will go in beautiful beaches and gorgeous for natural disasters and other emer- case of evacuation. As part of your year-round weather, but we must Pandemic Flu 10 gencies for which we must always be plan, organize a disaster prepared- also appreciate the risks that come Disaster Safety Tips 11 prepared. While we hope for the best ness kit to sustain you and your fam- with our 1,260 miles of coastline. at all times, it would be irrespon- ily for seven days. Most importantly, Being prepared for potential emer- Disaster Preparedness 12-13 sible not to have a disaster plan for discuss your plan with your fam- gencies and having a plan of action when those emergencies do occur. ily, friends, and neighbors. Keeping are responsibilities we each must Emergency Contact Information 14 Because it is that time of year again, your loved ones informed allows take seriously as residents of a coast- perhaps the most notable potential for consistency and open commu- al state. Caring for Your Pet 15 disasters that come to mind are hur- nication should an emergency arise. ricanes. But it is important that we Should a disaster occur, the plan you The experts are predicting a busy Transportation 16 think of more than just hurricanes have in place will help protect you season in the Atlantic Basin with 17 named storms, including five major Extreme Temperatures 17 when we consider emergencies. from further distress. Floridians also face a wide range of ones. While we cannot predict which Many seniors have specific medical storms might impact Florida, I am Disaster Recovery 18-19 disasters from tornadoes and light- ning storms to wildfires and floods. needs that must be considered. Make ready to respond to any emergencies Additionally, such things as freezes, sure to have a list of all of your med- that affect our state. Special Needs 20-21 ications, a generous supply to hold hazardous material incidents, and I encourage you to give careful Disaster Preparedness 22 even widespread flu make it essen- you over, and a plan for refilling pre- scriptions as needed. attention to your safety and well- tial for Floridians, especially elders being by reviewing this Disaster Information & Services for Elders 23 and their caregivers, to prepare in Additionally, safeguarding impor- Preparedness Guide for Elders. It Disaster Contact Information 24 advance. tant documents such as your identi- contains helpful information and fication, Social Security card, insur- valuable tips to help you, your fam- Long-time Floridians have plenty of ance documents and policies, and ily, and your pets in both weather- experience with tropical storms and emergency contact information is related and other emergencies. hurricanes, but in recent years we essential to easing any disruption have also had to become more famil- that may occur during a disaster. Every Floridian should develop an iar with how to respond to the con- emergency plan, prepare a disaster May/June 2011 It is also important that you have a stant threat of wildfires. All Florid- plan for your pets. One reason many kit, and know where to go if evacu- ians must be extremely careful with people stay behind when they should ation is necessary. Many seniors how they use fire and flammable not is a fear of leaving their animals. have specific medical needs that materials, both inside and outside Involving your pets in your emer- must be considered. To create your the home. Try to keep the outside of gency plan will allow you to avoid own disaster preparedness kit, fol- your home clear of easily combus- the dangers associated with staying low the checklist on page 12 of this tible materials, and review and prac- behind during an evacuation. Most publication. tice a fire escape plan. importantly, discuss your plan with Each type of emergency has its own Many different types of disasters your family, friends, and neighbors. set of challenges, and this guide can force people to evacuate their addresses preparedness for common homes, and proper and timely evac- Florida is home to more than 4.45 scenarios. While we always hope uation can be the difference between million seniors age 60 and older, and and pray for favorable conditions, life and death. While it may be dif- approximately one in four of them we must always be prepared for ficult to leave your home, your sup- suffers some physical impairment. unexpected emergencies. port network, and your friends, it It is critical that as good neighbors, could be even worse to ignore the we assist those who might not be Start planning today, and together warnings of emergency officials and able to prepare for a disaster. In any we can weather any storm. stay behind. emergency, we must come together According to Florida law, individu- SEE PagE 24 FOR DIsasTER als with special needs are eligible for continued on page 11 CONTacT INFORmaTION Elder Update 2 Hurricane Season Special Edition Hurricane Watch or Warning? What to Do (USPS 403-701/ISSN 1060-4545) Basic steps to prepare • Stay tuned to radio or television for • Evacuate as early as possible to Elder Update is a bimonthly weather updates. avoid congestion on roads and • Learn about your community’s highways. publication mailed in state to emergency plans, warning signals, • Listen for disaster sirens and warn- Florida residents at no cost to evacuation routes and locations of ing signals. • Follow the designated evacuation recipients. Out of state, Elder emergency shelters. • Check your car for your emergency routes – others may be blocked – and expect heavy traffic. Update can be accessed at kit. • Identify potential home hazards • Notify your family and friends that http://elderaffairs.state.fl.us. • Secure any outside items that may and know how to secure or protect you are evacuating, where you are damage property in a storm, such them before the hurricane strikes. going, and how you can be reached. Be prepared to turn off electrical as bicycles, grills, propane tanks, power when there is standing water etc. • If you are told to evacuate and have a pet, the best choice for pets and or a fallen power line, or before • Cover windows and doors with ply- you evacuate. Turn off gas and owners is to stay with pet-friendly Rick Scott wood or boards, or install hurricane friends or relatives in a location out- water supplies before you evacuate. shutters on windows. Governor Secure structurally unstable build- side the evacuation area. If this is not ing materials. • Put livestock in a safe area. Because possible, the next choice should be Jennifer Carroll of food and sanitation requirements, to find a pet-friendly motel or hotel Lieutenant Governor • Buy a fire extinguisher and make some emergency shelters cannot outside the evacuation area. Lastly, sure your family knows where to accept animals (see page 15). try to find a pet-friendly shelter. Charles T. Corley find it and how to use it. Interim Secretary • Place vehicles under cover, if at all • Locate and secure your important possible. If ordered NOT to evacuate Ashley Marshall papers, such as insurance policies, wills, licenses, stocks, etc. • Fill cleaned and disinfected sinks The great majority of injuries during Communications Director and bathtubs with water as an extra a hurricane are cuts caused by flying • Post emergency phone numbers at supply for washing. glass or other debris. Other injuries Whitney Hults every phone. • Store ice in coolers or in the tub of include puncture wounds resulting Disaster Preparedness • Inform local authorities about any from exposed nails, metal or glass, your washing machine (it is insulat- and bone fractures. Guide Coordinator special needs, i.e., elderly or bed- ed and has a built-in drain). ridden individuals or anyone with a Liz Jameson • Adjust the thermostat on refrigera- To get through the storm in the safest disability. possible manner, do the following: Copy Editor tors and freezers to the coolest pos- sible temperature. • Monitor the radio (preferably on a Haven Capone Prepare disaster supply kits NOAA weather radio) or television Layout & Graphic Design Stock your home, car, and workplace If ordered to evacuate for weather conditions, if possible. with supplies that may be needed dur- • Stay indoors until the authorities Fran Brooks ing the emergency period. (Use the Because of the destructive power of declare the storm is over. Bureau Chief - Human Resources, center pullout section of this guide to a hurricane, you should never ignore • Do not go outside, even if the General Services and Emergency obtain a list of suggested emergency an evacuation order. Authorities will supplies.) be most likely to direct you to leave weather appears to have calmed Operations & Disaster Preparedness if you are in a low-lying area or with- – the calm “eye” of the storm can Leo Lachat Preparing to evacuate in the greatest potential path of the pass quickly, leaving you outside storm.