DATE: August 31, 2015
MEDIA CONTACT: Miguel Ascarrunz, Director
Broward Emergency Management Division
PHONE: 954-831-3908
EMAIL: mascarrunz@broward.org
BROWARD COUNTY, FL - Broward County is participating in a national awareness campaign throughout September to increase resident and community preparedness for all potential emergencies. The annual event sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), encourages everyone to "Don't Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today." Residents and businesses should be informed and turn awareness into action by having an emergency preparedness family plan and stocking an emergency supply kit.
"Our brush with Tropical Storm Erika serves as an important reminder to all of us that disasters can happen anytime and anyplace. When you prepare and practice for an emergency in advance of an event, it makes a real difference in your ability to take immediate and informed actions when it matters most. Early actions can also help you to recover more quickly," said Miguel Ascarrunz, Director of Broward Emergency Management Division.
The Broward County Board of County Commissioners will proclaim September 2015 National Preparedness Month during their upcoming September 10th meeting.
Broward County recently received another three-year recognition as a Storm Ready Community through the National Weather Service StormReady Program. "We are proud to share this recognition with the community and the members of the Broward Emergency Response Team, who work very hard to stay prepared for all types of hazards," stated Ascarrunz.
September is the most active month for hurricane activity here in South Florida and residents are encouraged to take a few simple steps to get prepared, if they have not already done so:
- Know if you live in an evacuation zone
- Prepare a family/business emergency plan that includes your pets
- Assemble an emergency supply kit - enough to last 72 hours per person
- Stay informed about potential hazards and local emergency plans
- Sign up for Broward County Emergency Updates
Upcoming preparedness events include:
- Be Ready Florida presents the BRACE for the Storm Workshop on Monday, September 21st from 7-9PM. This is a FREE internet based workshop designed to provide information to homeowners on disaster mitigation techniques that can reduce damage to their homes from hurricanes and other disasters that threaten Floridians. In addition, Florida homeowners will learn how they can save money on the windstorm portion of their homeowner's insurance premium. To participate, you must register in advance at BRACE for the Storm - 03. For more information, contact Be Ready Florida at 850-241-3565.
-Residents are encouraged to sign up in September for an upcoming SKYWARN Storm Spotters Training Class, hosted by Broward Emergency Management on October 17th, from 10AM to 2:30PM at the Broward Emergency Operations Center. SKYWARN weather spotters are part of a nationwide volunteer network to report significant weather events to the National Weather Service.
-Broward Emergency Management serves as the host agency for the Broward Citizen Corps Council and will be participating at the 2015 South Florida Regional Citizen Corps Networking and Hands-On Training Conference on October 31st here in Broward County.
About Emergency Management Division
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. Free training and presentations are available to the public on request. For more information, visit Broward.org/Emergency, follow us on Twitter.com/ReadyBroward, like us on Facebook.com/BrowardEMD or call 954-831-3900.