Page 9 - The Shores of Jupiter - July '20
P. 9

The Shores, Page 9
       Commissioner’s Update



      Emergency Management –                               The 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season was above    scenario to develop complementary strategies. This includes
      Keeping Our Community Safe                         average and 2020 is forecast to be similar, with a projected   evaluating the decision process for evacuation; developing
                                                                                                           contingency plans for congregate and non-congregate shelter
                                                         16 named storms, eight hurricanes and four hurricanes
      And Resilient                                      greater than a category 3.                        options; providing additional screening and sanitizing
                                                           With oceans warming, the intensity of hurricanes is   efforts at all shelters; enhancing spacing and more frequent
      By Commissioner                                    increasing. Last year, Hurricane Dorian, a category 5 and   cleaning of shelters; evaluating staffing levels and available
      Hal Valeche                                        the fourth named storm of the 2019 season, made landfall   resources; and enhancing shelter capacity for the special
        Most of us likely equate                         on Sept. 1 in Elbow Cay, Bahamas with maximum sustained   needs population and pet shelters.
      emergency management                               winds of 185 mph. Dorian impacted the outer islands of the     The Board of County Commissioners plays an important
      with our annual hurricane                          Northern Bahamas and devastated Grand Bahama Island   role to reinforce the EOC actions and priorities. We
      season, and that has                               and its surrounding islands. After two days, it turned north,   assist with federal declarations and work with lawmakers
      definitely  been  a  major                         sparing Palm Beach County of its hurricane force winds,   to activate FEMA programs, and advocate for federal
      focus of this county division                      with only the outer bands brushing South Florida.  assistance and reimbursement. We also disseminate public
      within the Department of                             In the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, 900 evacuees   information to keep our residents advised and prepared to
      Public Safety. This year, we                       arrived in Palm Beach County via the Paradise Cruise Line,   take protective actions.
      have gained a painful lesson                       needing housing and services. Those who did not have local     As we do each year, we cannot stress enough the
      in another natural hazard,                         family or friends were taken to a triage shelter at the PBC   importance of planning for disasters and we encourage
      the pandemic.                                      Therapeutic Center in John Prince Park. From there, evacuees   all businesses and residents to make this a priority. It may
        While the event of a hurricane from advisories, warnings,   transitioned to temporary shelters. We assisted 155 evacuees.  surprise you to know that 60 percent of households lack
      landfall and recovery may require the activation of our     Many Palm Beach County residents and businesses   disaster readiness. Everyone has a duty to be prepared. You
      Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for a period of a few   have relationships, properties and business partners in the   need to know if you live in an evacuation area, and if so,
      weeks, the COVID-19 emergency has spanned months,   Bahamas, and there was a strong push to help our neighbors   where you will evacuate to within the county. If you are not
      with ongoing long-term prevention, testing and recovery   in the Bahamas recover. Many citizens, businesses, churches,   in an evacuation area, you are encouraged to shutter and
      efforts that will take us into an unknown future with this   municipalities and nonprofit organizations mobilized in   shelter in place. Make a kit, and keep it stocked. Consider
      new virus.                                         response. County departments and agencies participated by   what arrangements you need to make for your pets or loved
        Palm Beach County’s Executive Policy Group (EPG)   conducting a relief donation drive contributing 14 truckloads   ones with special needs. You can find a wealth of helpful
      leads the EOC Activation Organization through the County   and 500 pallets of supplies to the effort.  information at www.ReadyPBC.org.
      Administrator, Verdenia Baker, who also serves as incident     Emergency Management has continued to plan and     As always, if there is any way I can assist you, please
      commander. The EPG includes the county mayor, county   improve its emergency response systems, improving   contact me at (561) 355-2201 or by email at hvaleche@
      administration senior staff, public safety director, county   outreach for the special needs shelter application process,   pbcgov.org. Remember, wash  your hands, physically
      attorney, emergency management director, sheriff, fire   expanding emergency information outlets in multiple   distance, and be safe and prepared.
      rescue administrator, and the Florida Department of Health   languages, increasing shelter staffing and expanding on our
      Palm Beach County director. They also serve as liaisons   recovery plans.
      to the county commissioners, the courts, constitutional     Nearly 5,300 county personnel are enlisted upon
      officers, the school board, our state and federal legislative   activation to man the emergency operations center, provide
      delegation, and to the municipalities.             public information, work shelters, and inspect and respond to
        Emergency Management plans include responses to   damages in recovery efforts, and our employees have truly
      three main categories of hazards: natural – severe weather,   stepped up to the plate, while handling responsibilities to
      floods, agricultural pests and diseases, fires, communicable   protect their own families.
      diseases;  technological  –  transportation,  hazardous     This year, the challenge has doubled with addressing
      materials, nuclear power plant, dike failure; and, human   hurricane season accompanied by a pandemic, and shelter
      caused – domestic security, workplace/school violence and   staffing and facilities may need to increase further due to
      mass migration.                                    COVID-19. Emergency Management has analyzed this
                      Pet Matters



                        by Pat Deshong, President of Furry Friends  unsocialized, some to the point of being almost feral.
                        Adoption, Clinic & Ranch, July 2020    Despite the difficult surroundings, our team searched
                                                         every room, determined to make sure all of the Schnauzers
                                                         were accounted for. It was certainly easy for them to hide.
          “For the Love of Animals”                      The owner’s family had reached out to Furry Friends for
        features real stories happening                  help and their relief was palpable upon learning that his
        at Furry Friends in Jupiter. We                  beloved animals would be safe in our care.
        are  The Humane Society of                         We loaded the pups up and headed to Furry Friends…
        Greater Jupiter/Tequesta and the                 some destined for our Jupiter location and others for our
        only no-kill shelter open to the                 ranch in Palm City. At both locations, they were loved,
        public in northern Palm Beach                    fed and examined by our veterinarians. Most have made
        County.  We’ve been rescuing,                    tremendous progress in adjusting to their new environments
        rehabilitating, and re-homing the                while a few will take a little longer. But we are here for them
        homeless animals in our community for more than 30 years.   no matter how long it takes.
        Our not for profit 501c3 organization consists of our Jupiter    We thank each of you for your interest in this story and
        based adoption center, veterinary clinic (open to the public),  support of the furry family. We’ve received thousands of
        thrift store, and Palm City Ranch.               inquiries and over 100 adoption applications. Our mission
                                                         is to get each one of them in the wonderful home they so
                                                         richly deserve. All of our residents are deserving, no matter    Ways to donate (tax ID #59-2111273):
          The stench was overpowering. The amount of garbage,   their age, breed or background.           1. Mail a check made payable to Furry Friends to 100 Capital
        urine and feces throughout the house was incomprehensible.      When considering adding a furry family member to  Street, Jupiter, FL  33458.
        All eyes of our six team members expressed shock upon   your family, please visit our Palm City Ranch at 4841 SW  2. Visit  www.furryfriendsadoption.org
        entering the home of the Miami man hoarding fifteen   Zarrella Street or our new Jupiter Adoption Center at 100  3. Call us with your credit card information at 561.747.5311
        Schnauzers. Wading through the debris, we noticed a pan   Capital Street in the Jupiter Commerce Park.  PLEASE  ext. 3
        of dog food on the kitchen floor, the only feeding source   CALL  561-747-5311  PRIOR TO VISITING  EITHER
        for the many furry residents. The dogs were scared and   LOCATION DUE TO COVID-19.                “Your donation creates the possibilities to make miracles
                                                           Blessings to you for your support and faith in us… all  happen for our Furry Friends”
                                                         for the LOVE of animals!


                                                         Patricia Deshong, President


















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