Hurricane season is here, are you prepared? CERT Update

(Editor’s note: In the coming weeks, the Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District Community Emergency Response Team will be providing a series on disaster preparedness for islanders )

By NARCISSUS E. MAGTURO and KAREN TITOLO, CERT members

Welcome to your CERT team’s series of disaster preparedness articles

What you can do now! Part II.

1 Collect and assemble a disaster supply kit This is useful whether you shelter in place or need to evacuate Prepare supplies for home, work, pets and vehicles.

1 Plan for a minimum 3-day supply

2 1-gallon of water per day person and pets, if you are planning to shelter in place or evacuate to another location that is not a county shelter

3 Non-perishable foods Don’t forget a can opener

4 Personal items, clothing, pillows, blankets, toiletries, important papers, cash and credit cards

5 Medical supplies, including medications and medical equipment.

6 Safety equipment - battery-operated radio, flashlight, extra batteries, charging cords for cell phones

7 F u e l , v e h i c l e s a e n e r a t o r s

During hurricanes like Irma and Ian, there was a shortage of available fuel locally Fill up before forecasted storms arrive Operate generators outside the Home

8 . A c o m p r e h e n s i v e l i s t , i n b o t h English and Spanish, can be found in the Lee County All Hazards Guide available a t w w w l e e g o v c o m / p u b l i c s a f e t y / e m e rgencymanagement/plan/ahg

2 Learn where to seek shelter from all types of hazards

1 All county emergency shelters are off-island

3 Identify the community warning systems and evacuation routes

1 K n o w y o u r e v a c u a t i o n z o n e Matlacha and Pine Island are Zone A

2. Should evacuations be raised, they include which zones are under evacuation News and emergency media outlets will continually update the zones under evacuation

3 The free Lee County “LeePrepares” app, available through both the Apple and Android stores, provides information on preparing for and recovering from all types of disasters; features include information on active evacuations and EOC activation level, shelter information, ability to sign-up for the AlertLee notification system for telephone, text, and/or email alerts, links to special needs registration, a full family disaster plan and emergency supply list, and ASL disaster preparedness videos

4 WGCU-90 1 FM is the Southwest Florida affiliate of the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network It will stay on the air during power outages and continue broadcasting information you need to stay safe

5 NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR) is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information and associated alerts directly f r o m t h e n e a r e s t N a t i o n a l W e a t h e r Service office Fort Myers information can be found on Channel 4 (162 475 MHz)

6 . E m e r g e n c y A l e r t S y s t e m & Wireless Emergency Alerts - This Federal emergency alert system may be used by State and Local authorities for emergencies; the emergency alert system sends messages on radio and TV; the wireless emergency alerts are sent via phones

Next time we will cover information for evacuating

Did you prepare your family emergency plan? If you did, practice and maintain it Even talking through your plan at the beginning of hurricane season is helpful

Below is the summary list of actions you can take now, ahead of a storm, to be prepared Use this list as a reminder each week of actions you can take now to be better prepared

1 Make an emergency plan (article #1)

2 Know your warnings and alerts (this article) 3 Register with Lee County if l n e e d s - o n l i n e a t w w w . l e e E O C . c o m o r b y c a l l i n g L e e County Emergency Management at 239533-0622; pre-registration is required1

4 Review important documents

5 Strengthen your home

6 Get tech ready

7 Help your neighborhood

8 Gather supplies

Have questions about this article? You can contact the M/PIFCD, Station #1, at 2 3 9 - 2 8 3 - 0 0 3 0 , M o n d a y - F r i d a y , 7 : 3 0 a m to 4:30 p m