Friday, May 13, 2011

Hendry-Glades Emergency Preparation Day

 

LaBelle Event Showcases Disaster Preparedness

LABELLE, FL. -- Hendry and Glades county emergency response personnel were on hand at the LaBelle Rodeo Arena Saturday May 14th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for an exhibition showing the two county's disaster preparedness capabilities and exhibits on personal safety from various governmental agencies.

(Video: MedFlight helicopter, LaBelle Fire Department foam demonstration, crash dummies and exhibitors)

A day at the LaBelle Rodeo grounds is an opportunity for the first responders in Hendry and Glades County to reach out to the communities and share their message of disaster preparedness and personal safety, says Amy Howard, planner with the Hendry County Emergency Management department. 

Howard said, "It is also a great opportunity for the community to meet the emergency response personnel that work to keep them safe. Here in Hendry County we face a wide variety of hazards, such as wildfire, hurricanes, and tornadoes, etc. It is our responsibility to make sure that the citizens of Hendry and Glades County receive the information on how to prepare for these hazards and keep their families safe."

Special guest visitors included Jim Farrell, weatherman from Wink TV, Smokey Bear, McGruff the Crime Dog, and the Crash Test Dummies. There was lots of information for the parents and fun stuff for the children.

Captain Clint Walker of the LaBelle Fire Department demonstrated the capability of using foam flame retardant to put out fires, saying the non-toxic foam is now used on most fires and is especially useful on brush fires, not leaving behind any damaging residue hurting wildlife or plants. 


A MedFlight helicopter from the LaBelle airpot landed at the Rodeo grounds for visitors to inspect up close.

Safety Exhibition Schedule:

10 a.m.: Wildfires – Victor Hill from the Florida Division of Forestry
10:30 a.m.: Hurricanes – Jim Farrell from WINK TV
11 a.m.: Fire Extinguisher/Generator Safety – Bruce Britton and Susan Hastings from the Seminole Tribe Fire Rescue Fire Prevention Division
11:15 a.m.: Disaster Kits/Special Needs Sheltering – Emergency Management Staff from Hendry & Glades County
11:30 a.m.: Storm Shutters – Storm Smart
12 p.m.: Personal Safety – Hendry County Sheriff's Office
12:15 p.m.: Volunteering after a disaster – American Red Cross

2 comments:

  1. Anonymous6:10 PM

    Crash test dummies? The sheriff and staff were there?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous9:34 AM

    Wow. Seriously? That's why this town is dying. Too many people trying to degrade and insult others instead of trying to be positive and make things BETTER.

    ReplyDelete