County works to improve response

SEAN THOMAS
Staff Writer

TAVARES - With an active 2006 hurricane season expected, Lake County is improving response plans and creating new ones. For the first time, the Lake County Department of Emergency Management will use its reverse-911 system to relay important information to affected residents, particularly evacuation orders and shelter openings. The system calls up to 23 people at a time to deliver a recorded message. It will mostly be used to deliver information to the county's 163 mobile home parks, and will be tested today. Emergency management officials have also developed contacts at each mobile home park to help disseminate shelter information. Director of Emergency Management Jerry Smith said mobile home park residents require extra attention because their homes cannot withstand high winds. The county, through its office of information outreach, has also developed three public service announcements that will air on government channels to urge citizens to prepare themselves for hurricanes, including having a disaster plan, identifying potential shelters and stocking up on hurricane supplies. Information will also be broadcast over all the county's cable companies. Channels include Bright House Channel 99, Florida Cable channel 4 and Comcast cable channels 13 and 22. The Emergency Operation Center, which is based out of the County Administration Building in Tavares, organizes government agencies and municipalities and volunteers in response to a hurricane. The EOC will be using new software to mobilize response teams, such as public works to repair downed power lines, and to improve reporting to ensure reimbursement. Lake County learned an expensive lesson after the hurricanes of 2004. So far, the county has been reimbursed $22.2 million, much of what was spent on clearing of debris, but is still owed, and is attempting to collect, another $1.7 million. The disastrous response to Hurricane Katrina in other parts of the country has also prompted revisions to Lake County's plans. The county has set up a public-shelter registry program to make sure those with special needs or lack of transportation can get to shelters.