DATE: April 8, 2014
MEDIA CONTACT: Miguel Ascarrunz, Interim Director
Emergency Management Division
PHONE: 954-831-3908
EMAIL: mascarrunz@broward.org
BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. - Broward County is among the hundreds of counties throughout the United States observing National County Government Month during April and promoting this year’s theme “Ready and Resilient Counties: Prepare. Respond. Thrive.” Broward County Commissioners formally proclaimed April as "National County Government Month" at today's Board meeting.
Being ready and resilient means taking action to address and mitigate the devastating impacts of a natural disaster during the planning, designing, locating and building of communities. The focus creates stronger communities that will be less impacted and, therefore, more economically stable in the aftermath of such events, and taking action, as necessary, that will protect, preserve and strengthen the resiliency of the community.
“Broward County has long understood the importance of being resilient, properly planning to establish a stronger community which can weather the range of challenges that can affect any community, including ours,” said Miguel Ascarrunz, interim director of Emergency Management Division at Broward County.
An educational display highlighting the County programs that contribute to helping the County's communities be ready and resilient is featured throughout the rest of the month in the lobby of the Governmental Center, 115 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale.
The Broward County Emergency Management Division develops and implements comprehensive emergency planning response, mitigation and recovery activities in order to save lives and protect property in emergencies. Technical assistance is available to develop and maintain emergency plans for all types of hazards. The division also offers free training and presentations to the public on request.
Ascarrunz cites the division’s close involvement with and support of community partners, such as the South Florida Disaster Resiliency Coalition (SFDRC), a partnership with South Florida’s business community. This partnership helps to ensure that the South Florida private-public sector is prepared for, responds to, and recovers from natural and man-made disasters through collaboration, coordination of business and nonprofit governmental resources.
“Our partnership with SFDRC supports the FEMA initiative of ‘whole community’ engagement and offers the opportunity to expand and strengthen local disaster management capabilities by tapping into and leveraging South Florida’s extraordinary private sector resources,” Ascarrunz said.
Resiliency is prominent in the County’s planning activities in support of sustainability and in preparation for extreme weather and sea level rise among other core functions of County services. Broward County has received national recognition for leading climate resilience through policy, planning and projects with local and regional collaborations including leadership in the activities of the landmark Southeast Florida Regional Climate Compact, advancement of a robust countywide Climate Action Plan, and adoption of a Climate Change Element as part of the County’s Comprehensive Plan, heralded as a national model.
Dr. Jennifer Jurado, director of Broward County’s Natural Resources Planning and Management Division, notes, “These efforts are designed to reduce local vulnerability and losses, providing immediate social and economic benefits, but they are also key to mitigating for the more severe impacts of global climate change and represent an important investment in our future.”
Broward County’s Natural Resources Planning and Management Division and Solid Waste and Recycling Services have scheduled events throughout April in support of National County Government Month and in concert with Earth Day, April 22. Events are:
April 10 – NatureScape Seminar, Long Key Nature Center, 3501 S.W. 130 Avenue, Davie, 9:30 a.m. to Noon. Preregistration is required; call 954-519-0317.
April 12 – Broward County Emergency Management Division is sponsoring a SKYWARN Storm Spotters training class, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at the Broward Emergency Operation Center, 201 N.W.. 84 Ave., Plantation. Email n4hhp@comcast.net for more information.
April 12 – Hallandale Beach Greenfest at the Hallandale Beach Community Center, 400 S. Federal Highway, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
April 12 – EarthFest at Sandy Ridge Sanctuary, 8501 N.W. 40 St., Coral Springs, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
April 12 – Unincorporated Community Cleanup in Broadview Park Community, 1500 S.W. 42 Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, 8 a.m. to Noon.
April 13 – Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Recycling event, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., 7055 N.W. First St., Margate.
April 22 – Earth Day, Broward County Governmental Center Lobby, 115 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
April 22 – Earth Break 2014, Broward County Government Center West Lobby, 1 N. University Drive, Plantation, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
April 22 – Earth Day at Broward College Central Campus, 3501 S.W. Davie Road, Davie, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
April 24 – NatureScape Seminar at Fern Forest, 201 Lyons Road S., Coconut Creek, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Preregistration is required; call 954-519-0317.
April 26 – Earth Day Dune Planting at John U. Lloyd State Park with the Youth Environmental Alliance, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
April 26 – Annual tree giveaway, City of Coconut Creek, 4800 W. Copans Road, 8 a.m. to noon. (For Coconut Creek residents only.)
April 26 – Unincorporated Community Cleanup at Boulevard Gardens, 313 N.W. 28 Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, 8 a.m. to Noon.
April 27 – Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Recycling event, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., City Hall, 2600 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood.
National County Government Month, a National Association of Counties (NACo) program observed nationwide each April, is designed to raise public awareness and understanding about the roles and responsibilities of county government.
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