CERT preps for “meat” of hurricane season
They are the largest, most active volunteer group on Fort Myers Beach. They are also among the most committed bunch of individuals you would want in your corner if disaster strikes.
The Community Emergency Response Team is a volunteer branch of the FMB Fire Control District, trained as first responders in first aid, CPR, AED (automated external defibrillator), search and rescue, triage and fire extinguisher operations. They are (at last count) 60 residents and business members of Estero Island who are educated in disaster preparedness for hazards, such as hurricanes, that might impact our 7-mile stretch of Beach.
Since taking over as CERT leader in November 2010, Alan Vacks has implemented two more training courses: Animal Response 1 CERT’s role and Disaster First Aid. Five individuals graduated recently and another bi-annual class, featuring at least seven more, is scheduled for Oct. 4. Those class members, including pet sitters and boarders, are expected to graduate Nov. 4 after taking two classes per week.
When asked about his volunteer organization, Vacks had two simple words to say: “We’re ready.”
He was more humble when he described his leadership role.
“It’s easy to step up to be a team leader, particularly this kind of group because they were well trained before, and they are a good group of people,” said Vacks. “They make it easy to be the leader.”
The Disaster First Aid program, which Vacks was certified in, may come in handy if a tropical storm or worse hits this hurricane-prone island. The CERT leader also said the CERT training program features an addendum specifically dealing with hurricanes.
“We try to tell everybody to plan an evacuation kit for you, your family and your pets. A lot of people have it planned for their family, but leave their pets behind. Pets have been a big issue this year.
“(The program helps) when 911 can’t come to a situation to assist people who did not leave the island and are in need. If Fire EMS is evacuated out to US 41 or Highway 75, it’s going to take them a while to get back to the island. So, people need to know how to deal with what they have at hand.”
Vacks said his group features doctors, engineers, lawyers, accountants and nurses to name a few. He is a retiree from the Pittsburgh Fire Department who has related experience since 1968 through the Air Force, Para-Rescue, EMS and other fire fighting operations.
“It’s a wide variety of people,” he said. “I become interested when I saw an article in a newspaper about CERT. I spoke with then-CERT Team Leader Al Agathen and joined. When he retired, they asked me to take the program over.”
More than 220 communities throughout the state of Florida have CERT programs. In 2005, FMB Fire Chief Mike Becker, who was a shift commander for the local fire department at the time, decided to begin a program on the Beach after conferring with Dan and Joanne Shamp and other members of the Public Safety Task Force. Since then many prominent island leaders have stepped up to join the program.
“Chief Becker and all the guys bend over backwards for us. They help teach the classes. They are there when we do the drills to help and assist,” said Vacks. “Without them and the Board of Fire Commissioners, this CERT team wouldn’t be anything.”
Vacks will be handing out hurricane preparedness lists to businesses and individuals in the near future. Requests for the list can be obtained by emailing him at avacks@centurylink.net or go to ready.gov for information pertaining to natural disasters.
CERT members have worked many community events over the past few years such as parades, festivals, bashes and sporting events. Their green first aid tent can be seen at nearly every happening on the Beach, including the Shrimp Festival, Pumpkin Festival, Bay Oaks Bash and the American Sand Sculpting Championship. Most recently, the CERT tent was at the fourth annual Soccer on the Beach tournament.
“We provide first aid for most of the events, which is nice because they make a donation,” said Vacks. “We are a 501c3 organization, and donations always go towards more equipment and supplies.”
The local CERT program just acquired a Homeland Security grant and purchased a four-wheel-drive Kawasaki Mule and trailer, which can be converted into a command post.
“I’m impressed with this program as a retired fire fighter. It’s good to see civilians come out, learn first aid and CPR and are ready to do it,” said Vacks.
Consider pet shelters when evacuation is imminent
Don’t leave your pet behind if you are asked to evacuate in case of a hurricane.
“Lee County will have two pet shelters,” said Vacks. “You do have to pre-signup.”
The CERT leader said there is a list of hotels that also allow pets if you are considering lodging to hunker down in. Go to www.aspca.com or www.lee-county.com/animalservices for more information.
Vacks said the FMB CERT team is the only program that offers pet first aid. The local team is also the only group that does disaster first aid.
“One of our members was vet in the service. He actually brought his dog to class,” he said.
IBHS Warns Against Complacency as U.S. Enters Most Active Part of Atlantic Hurricane Season
The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety urges residents in hurricane-prone areas to do what they can to prepare their homes and businesses as the U.S. enters the most active part of the 2011 Atlantic Hurricane season.
There have been five named storms so far in 2011 Arlene, Bret, Cindy, Don and most recently, Emily. While the first four storms never rose to hurricane level, Emily’s status is still in flux. Meteorologists note that, while no hurricane made landfall in the U.S. since 2008, the U.S. has not gone three straight years without a hurricane landfall since the 1860s. So people living along the coasts should not be complacent about the risks they may, or may not, face this season.
“Mother Nature is as powerful as she is unpredictable,” said Julie Rochman, IBHS’ president & CEO. “She doesn’t keep charts or maps. People shouldn’t think that just because there hasn’t been a land falling hurricane, that they are safe this year as well. Rather, they should think about how lucky we have been not to have been hit, because we have had time to prepare for when the next land falling hurricane comes. We should all prepare.”
IBHS offers specific guidance to reduce the risk of property damage from a hurricane on its website, www.DisasterSafety.org. The site includes a self-assessment tool that property owners can use to gauge how well their home or business is prepared for a hurricane, along with solutions to reduce the risk of damage.
“It is not too late to take many of the recommended steps to increase a home or business survive and quickly recover from a storm,” noted Rochman. “IBHS’ self-assessment page is an excellent resource for property owners, because it allows them to evaluate their specific risk and use the ‘how to’ projects provided to take the steps to reduce those risks.”
BOX
2011 Hurricane names
Arlene
Bret
Cindy
Don
Emily
Franklin
*Gert
Harvey
Irene
Jose
Katia
Lee
Maria
Nate
Ophelia
Philippe
Rina
Sean
Tammy
Vince
Whitney
*most recent storm which ended up due east of Florida