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City is ready for weather emergencies
Residents are warned to be ready for hurricane dangers
By THOMAS MICHALSKI
Article published on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2008
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![[Image]](/content_images/080708_par-01.jpg) |
| TBN File Photo |
| City public works employees converted an old Mayflower moving van into emergency living quarters. |
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PINELLAS PARK – City officials are warning residents not to become too complacent during this hurricane season.
Michael Gustafson, city manager, said although the last few years have been hurricane-free, the city is still taking precautions in case a storm strikes the Tampa Bay Area.
“We are ready for any emergency,” Gustafson said. “Besides everything else, we have communications equipment that can be up and running within 30 minutes after a hurricane.”
The gear is actually installed in a former fire department trailer that once was used for children’s events. The state-of-the-art satellite communications radios will link all city agencies such as the police, fire and public works departments so rescue efforts and cleanup can begin almost immediately after a weather event.
Considered to be the top shelf of communications gear for any Pinellas County government agency, the equipment also will allow city officials to communicate with state and federal agencies.
“We are on the cutting edge of technology,” Gustafson said.
The city’s emergency management team consists of representatives of all city divisions. They have been working diligently to get ready for any emergency that might arise. Besides hurricanes, the team is concerned over other weather events such as tornados and heavy rain storms that can bring floods.
Although the city has done much to prevent flooding along Park Boulevard and its surrounding streets, a big enough storm can still cause havoc in the city despite drainage improvements. Park Boulevard is a main artery for residents escaping from beach towns and other flood-prone areas.
Robert Bray, the city’s community planning director, urged residents to be ready in case an emergency targets the area.
“People must understand that we are susceptible to many kinds of weather conditions,” Bray said. “Tampa Bay isn’t known as the lightning capital of the world for nothing.”
Bray said people need to protect themselves during storms from flying debris such as yard items, hanging baskets and even flower pots that can become deadly missiles under certain weather conditions.
Bray also urged residents to keep a supply of bottled water, canned and other nonperishable food, first aid kits, portable radios, batteries and medication
“Basic planning is important to survive a serious weather event,” Bray said. “People should learn about their evacuation routes and get ready for anything.”
Hurricane Charlie in August 2004 was predicted to make landfall in Tampa Bay. Instead it made a course change and struck between Fort Myers and Naples, causing millions of dollars in damage. It was that storm more than anything that caused Pinellas Park officials to take a second look at the city’s emergency procedures.
City employees converted an old Mayflower moving van into barracks-like living quarters for emergency personnel. An old parks department trailer was revamped into a portable kitchen capable of feeding up to 150 people-an-hour. The city also has in storage bottled water and nonperishable food to feed emergency personnel.
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Article published on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2008
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