Vol. 3 Issue 2
Summer 2007
University of Florida
School of Natural Resources and Environment
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Vol. 3 Issue 2 |
Summer 2007 |
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University of Florida |
School of Natural Resources and Environment |
Communities Taking Charge, UF Prepares Florida ResidentsBy Patrick Heck
Known for its beautiful landscapes, lush state parks, beaches, rivers and natural springs, Florida is a nature lover's dream. But the Sunshine State also has a darker side. Florida is known for its susceptibility for natural (and man-made) disasters. Tornados, forest fires, drought, and predictions for an active hurricane season have put the pressure on emergency responders, policy makers, and community leaders to create and prepare emergency plans to respond to future disasters. Living in Florida, it's probable that you have experienced the full wrath of Mother Nature, or at least know someone who has. But despite our awareness of how devastating nature can be a recent AP report highlighting a Mason-Dixon poll suggests "a dangerously high percentage of residents in hurricane-vulnerable states still aren't prepared, don't take the threat of hurricanes seriously and have big gaps in what they know about hurricanes, even among those who live within 30 miles of the coast." While the report suggests many Floridians are unprepared, SNRE Affiliate Faculty members and Extension Specialists Drs. Carol Lehtola and Mark Brennan have a different view of how well we are prepared.
"Following the active hurricane season of 2004, many of Florida's rural counties realized they needed to put plans in place to prepare all members of the community, from citizens to first responders and policy makers, for natural disasters," explains Dr. Carol Lehtola, the UF point of contact for the Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN). Eden is a Web-based resource created and supported by an interstate Extension consortium). "People in rural communities are banding together to form State Ag Response Teams (SART) for dealing with issues involving animals and disaster." Dr. Mark Brennan, an Assistant Professor of Community Development, echoes the need for community members to take charge in emergencies, as there is no guarantee how long homes will be stranded during and after hurricanes. "There is clear need for local volunteers to serve as the first line of response to such catastrophes. This was most obvious in the first weeks after Hurricane Katrina, where volunteers and active community residents were the rescuers, caretakers, and in many cases, the final comforting companions to the dying. They were the first, and often the only, line of response that would exist for weeks."
A relatively new approach to disaster response is taking hold in Florida (and across the U.S.) as budget constraints reduce the amount of available resources local communities use to help. SNRE affiliate faculty member Dr. Brennan has worked closely with Florida's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), a program that seeks to train and empower local community residents to shoulder the responsibility of being first responders to emergencies. "CERTs (administered by Citizen Corps, FEMA, the Department of Homeland Security) blend a bottom-up appreciation for the role of local volunteers in emergency response with a top-down institutional framework to facilitate training and coordination. They free up much needed resources allowing National Guard, police, fire and rescue teams to give their attention to others who need the urgent care," explains Dr. Brennan.
Dr. Lehtola is currently working with similar groups in the agriculture community to prepare farmers and ranchers for the dangers associated with natural disasters. "It is very important to make sure that people have accurate safety information during and after the storms. Often more injuries are incurred during clean-up than during the actual storm event. The leading causes of injuries or deaths after the storm involve chain saws or carbon monoxide." The State of Florida has required communities to build in appropriate measures to prepare for the safety of livestock and other food supplies. "This work goes towards raising awareness of the potential danger for the contraction of spread of disease after disaster," she explains. In February, three tornadoes ripped through central Florida killing 20 people and leaving $30 million in damages in their wake. Despite the devastating losses, recovery efforts were swift, effective, and efficient, drawing high praises from the new governor. "CERTs were very active and very effective following the tornado disasters," notes Dr. Brennan, "but there are enormous opportunities at the neighborhood level to do more. Everyone has a role to play." While many individuals may still be unprepared for what lies ahead, communities are training, preparing for what seems like an inevitable, active hurricane season. As Florida prepares and continues to be tested, residents must continue stay aware and continue preparing for the worst, even as we enjoy our summer in the Sunshine State. *1. Kay, Jennifer, "Poll: Coast Not Ready for Hurricanes," The Associated Press, 31 May, 2007; (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/31/AR2007053101004.html)
Additional Emergency & Disaster Web Resources: Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) Disaster Related Extension Publications: Effective Community Response to Disaster
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School of Natural Resources and Environment Research and Outreach/Extension Office, 1053 McCarty Hall D, PO Box 110230, Gainesville, FL 32611 Tel: (352) 392-7622 • Fax: (352) 846-2856 |
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