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Town of Fort Myers Beach hosts hurricane seminar

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ABC Channel 7 Chief Meteorologist Jim Reif reminds listeners at the Fort Myers Beach hurricane seminar at town hall to have a game plan before hurricane warnings strike.

The Town of Fort Myers Beach hosted a hurricane seminar at its town hall Thursday, providing Beach residents updated information, offering services and warning them to have a plan of action before its too late.

The seminar featured several key note speakers including FMB Mayor Larry Kiker; Lee County Director of Public Safety John Wilson; FMB Fire Chief Mike Becker; Lee County Sheriff’s Office Captain Matt Powell; ABC Channel 7 Chief Meteorologist Jim Reif; and FMB Town Manager Scott Janke.

The repeated theme throughout the speaker presentations appeared to be having a plan of action before hurricane warnings and evacuations. The seminar was broadcasted on the town’s Public Access Channel 98.

Kiker emceed the event and began by recognizing a youth group under the direction of the FMB Fire Control called Exporer Post 1100; the well-represented Community Emergency Response Team and his FMB Town Council before asking the captive audience to remember back when Hurricane Charley closed the Beach for a week which left many residents wondering what could have happened if the storm was a direct strike.

The other speakers followed with their own expertise by offering tips and instructions if another warning strike occurs.

Janke, who is in charge of emergency operations for the town, concluded the seminar by stating the biggest role is to communicate to the public. He also mentioned the town’s Emergency Response Vehicle.

“That’s our town hall on wheels,” he said. “We’ll be able to continue to communicate with the public should there be an evacuation. You heard a lot of information from the fire chief and our sheriff’s captain. Our main role (after an evacuation) is to decide when the beach can be opened.”

Information included obtaining re-entry passes, which are offered for applicants each Thursday from 1-4 p.m. at town hall; visiting the town’s Web site at ww.townoffortmyersbeachfl.gov for updated hurricane information; and tuning into AM radio 1640 when a possble storm does strike and electricity is out.