From Keith L. Chester, C.O.P.

We are currently in the busy part of our hurricane season and everyone should be prepared and have their families prepared. Everyone should have a plan in place to evacuate when ordered to do so or when informed a hurricane is headed our way. Shelters should be considered only as a last resort. Shelters can be very uncomfortable and crowded. Failing to evacuate places you, your loved ones, and our first responders in danger. First responders WILL NOT respond to you during a storm and may not be able to respond to you after a storm until roads are cleared. Government is not responsible for feeding you and/or providing you with shelter for extended periods of time. Volusia Pines Elementary is a designated shelter, however, it may or may not be opened. Volusia County's Department of Emergency Management and the Volusia County School System is responsible for the operations of shelters. There is a great deal of information available online at www.volusia.org/emergency including the 2010 Disaster Preparedness Guide, sign up information for the email and/or telephone emergency notification systems, and much more. If you are an individual who has special needs you should contact Volusia County's Department of Emergency Management at (386) 736-5980.

Volusia County's Department of Emergency Management and Volusia County's Department of Fire Services are the lead agencies for disasters. However, the City of Lake Helen has taken some extra steps in order to help insure the safety of it's citizens. This includes the implementation of a Community Emergency Response Team and the purchasing of a great deal of related equipment mostly through grants and donations. Lake Helen's Public Works Department is responsible for clearing City maintained streets and Volusia County is responsible for clearing County maintained streets after a storm. Citizens need to be aware of the fact that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has drastically changed their rules pertaining to funding storm clean up efforts. They will probably not be funding debris removal from private property. Check your insurance policies and meet with your insurance agents in order to insure that you have adequate insurance coverage.

If you do not have a computer and you would like a copy of the disaster preparedness guide, please contact Lynn at the police department (386-228-2145) and we will see that you receive one. Be smart, be prepared, and be safe!!!