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Emergency Management Urges Prep For Hurricane Season

By  //  May 18, 2013

ABOVE VIDEO: Brevard County Emergency Management Director Kimberly Prosser offers helpful tips on how to best prepare for the arrival of hurricane season:  “Make a Plan, Build a Kit and Stay Informed.”

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – With only two weeks before the official start of the 2013 Hurricane Season, there’s no better time than now for Brevard County residents to “Make a Plan, Build a Kit and Stay Informed.”

Kimberly Prosser
Kimberly Prosser

Preparing a personal plan of action, stocking up on supplies like water and fresh batteries and staying tuned in to area media reports on tropical storm systems as they form in the Atlantic can help residents weather an emergency during the hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.

“It’s recommended residents stock up now with various storm supplies that includes fresh batteries, flashlights, food and water for 72 hours and a weather radio,” said Brevard County Emergency Management Director Kimberly Prosser.

The Brevard County Commission, during its May 14 meeting, designated the week of May 26 through June 1 as Hurricane Preparation Week.

HURRICANE EXERCISE SET FOR MONDAY

On Monday, May 20, area emergency agencies will also prepare for the upcoming season by taking part in a statewide Hurricane Exercise. Brevard County’s Office of Emergency Management, in coordination with the State of Florida, will go into full-scale activation from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Emergency Operations Center in Rockledge.

Bob Lay
Bob Lay

Brevard County plays a major role in this year’s exercise, which will feature “Hurricane Lay” – a tropical cyclone event named in tribute to the late Brevard County Emergency Management Director Bob Lay.

Local emergency managers will monitor the progress of “Hurricane Lay” and respond to simulated impacts, obstacles and challenges that would face the Space Coast. Officials from various Brevard County government agencies, along with other area organizations, will respond to the Emergency Operations Center in Rockledge to participate in the drill and take appropriate actions that would be necessary in a real weather emergency.

The start of the 2013 hurricane season is two weeks away. Brevard County’s Office of Emergency Management has coordinated with the State of Florida for its annual hurricane exercise and will go into full-scale activation from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, May 20, at the Emergency Operations Center in Rockledge. (FEMA image)
The start of the 2013 hurricane season is two weeks away. Brevard County’s Office of Emergency Management has coordinated with the State of Florida for its annual hurricane exercise and will go into full-scale activation from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, May 20, at the Emergency Operations Center in Rockledge. (FEMA image)

The daylong exercise is used to strengthen existing partnerships, familiarize those with new or added responsibilities and identify opportunities for improvement in planning, response and recovery efforts.

Lay, who died in January 2012 at the age of 69, served as director of Brevard County Emergency Operations for nearly 15 years and was known not only in Brevard County but also statewide and nationally as an emergency management expert. He led Brevard County through countless emergency situations including hurricanes and wildfires.

SEE STORY: ‘Hurricane Lay’ Pays Homage To Late Emergency Director

Other preparations under way in Brevard County include a General Population Shelter Drill, held Friday, May 17, a Pet-Friendly Shelter Drill on Tuesday, May 21, a Special Needs Shelter Drill on Wednesday, May 22, and a Point-of-Distribution drill onThursday, May 23.

STAY INFORMED VIA WEBSITES, SOCIAL MEDIA VENUES

In addition to the full-scale EOC activation scheduled for May 20, there will also be a General Population Shelter Drill on May 17, a Pet-Friendly Shelter Drill on May 21, a Special Needs Shelter Drill on May 22, and a Point-of-Distribution drill on May 23.
In addition to the full-scale EOC activation scheduled for May 20, there will also be a General Population Shelter Drill on May 17, a Pet-Friendly Shelter Drill on May 21, a Special Needs Shelter Drill on May 22, and a Point-of-Distribution drill on May 23.

In addition to the full-scale EOC activation scheduled for May 20, there will also be a General Population Shelter Drill on May 17, a Pet-Friendly Shelter Drill on May 21, a Special Needs Shelter Drill on May 22, and a Point-of-Distribution drill on May 23.

Residents can stay informed this season by visiting EMBrevard.com, following @BrevardEOC on Twitter or via text messaging, or Liking Brevard County Emergency Management on Facebook.