 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
Group dispenses disaster advice
By Times staff writer INVERNESS -- Citrus County is part of the Tampa Bay Regional Domestic Security Task Force, one of seven such task forces statewide. Because the federal government raised the national threat level to the second-highest level last week, the Tampa Bay task force advises residents to do the following: Continue normal activities but be especially aware of your surroundings. Exercise caution when traveling. Be alert to suspicious persons, vehicles and activities; report things when appropriate to local law enforcement. Develop an emergency communications and disaster plan that all family members understand. Practice the plan and contact neighbors to discuss their plans and needs. Determine meeting places and escape routes for your family if you become separated. Establish an out-of-area friend or relative as a single point of contact to coordinate family messages. Create an emergency contact list for each family member to carry. Prepare a disaster supply kit to sustain your family for three to seven days. It should include food, water, medicine, flashlight and batteries and so on. Federal officials have recommended obtaining duct tape and plastic sheeting, as well. Be prepared for possible interruption of electricity, telephone, natural gas, gasoline pumps and Internet transactions. If you are within the immediate area of a terrorist event, be prepared to respond to official instructions. For information on developing a family disaster plan, call the Citrus County Sheriff's Office emergency management office at 746-6555. For additional recommendations, call the Department of Public Safety at 527-5406. Or try the Web sites: www.sheriffcitrus.org, www.redcross.org, www.floridadisaster.org or www.survive-nbc.org.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
|
Citrus Times |
