CodeRED: Emergency Voice Messaging
The City of Parkland has contracted with Emergency Communications Network, Inc., of Ormond Beach, Florida, for its “CodeRED” high-speed telephone emergency notification services. The CodeRED system gives city officials the ability to deliver pre-recorded emergency telephone notification/information messages to targeted areas or the entire city at a rate of up to 60,000 calls per hour.

Such systems are only as good as the telephone database supporting them. If your phone number is not in the database, you will not be called. The CodeRED system not only offers faster calling rates and improved message delivery, it gives individuals and businesses the ability to add their own phone numbers directly to the system’s telephone database. This is an extremely important feature.
No one should automatically assume his or her phone number is included. All businesses should register, as well as all individuals who have unlisted phone numbers, who have changed their phone number or address within the last year, or who use a cellular phone as their home phone.

The CodeRED system is a geographical-based notification system, which means street addresses are needed to select which phone numbers will receive emergency notification calls in any given situation. The system works fine for cell phones too, but we have to have a street address. People who have recently moved but kept the same listed or unlisted phone number also need to change their address in the database.

CodeRED gives those who want to be included an easy and secure method for doing so. The information will only be used for emergency notification purposes.

Prepare In Advance!
Hurricanes are among nature's most powerful forces, bringing destructive winds, tornadoes, and floods from torrential rains and ocean storm surges. In recent years, advances in how we predict and track these storms have improved preparedness and saved lives, but people living in hurricane-prone areas still must be prepared. Developing a family disaster plan, creating a disaster supply kit, filling your prescriptions and staying aware of current weather situations is critical. IMPORTANT: You should plan to be self-sufficent with enough ice, water and food for your household for at least 72 hours after a storm.

Minimize Tree Damage: The “Right Tree In The Right Place”
The City of Parkland is enacting the “Right Tree In the Right Place Ordinance” due to past hurricanes of which many residents suffered damage from fallen trees were planted in the wrong places. Protect your own property and the property of your neighbors. Plant appropriate tree species that are properly located near overhead lines and homes to help minimize hurricane damage.

Disaster Insurance - Flood Insurance: You Must
Obtain This Coverage Separately
Most homeowners, renters, and dwelling policies cover home flood damage in the home caused by a leaking roof. The policies do not cover personal property - unless hail or wind damage caused your roof or walls to leak. An approved private insurance company or the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) provides coverage for damage from rising waters. YOU MUST OBTAIN THIS COVERAGE SEPARATELY from a standard homeowners or dwelling policy. Flood insurance pays for debris removal. It does not pay for temporary living expenses if you have to move from your home. For more info on Flood Insurance visit the FEMA website.

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
With the hurricane season approaching, the City of Parkland is asking you to join our team! The Community Emergency Response Team (“CERT”) program helps train people to be better prepared to respond to emergency situations in their community. CERT members provide critical support to first responders, provide immediate assistance to victims and organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site. Parkland is looking for interested people to be trained by the Coral Springs Fire Department in CPR, First Aid and Triage. A 25 hour course (one night per week for eight weeks) is followed by monthly meetings. No experience is necessary but participants must be 16 years or older. For additional information, please call the Coral Springs Fire Department at (954) 346-1774.

Building Department Resources
The Building Department website has information many documents and FAQ pages about issues and procedures including licensed and unlicensed contractors, the permitting process and inspections and approvals. The forms that you will need to submit when repairing a structure which suffered storm damage are also available on the site. [Website]

• High Velocity Hurricane Zones (Uniform Permit Application)
• Owner Builder Questionaire
  (Structural Inspections - Hurricane Impact Protection)
• NOTICE: Removing Damaged Pool Screen Enclosures
  

Storm Preparation Tips for Large Animals
Residents who own horses or other large animals are encouraged to make preparations early in anticipation of a hurricane. Tips on how to make hurricane preparations for large animals are available online from the Broward County Extension Education Division.

The site provides information on proper identification for horses and other large animals, preparation for barns and pastures, correct ways to restrain horses and other large animals, and planning food, water and hay supplies in the event of a hurricane. Owners should plan on at least a five-day supply of food, water and medical supplies for their horses and other animals in the event of a storm.

The site also includes an online large animal registry. Owners can register their animals and include detailed information on physical traits to help them identify their animals if they become lost. The information is made available to veterinarians and other medical or emergency responders in the event animals become lost. Click here to register.

Additional tips for preparing for a hurricane are available online on the Broward County Website. For more information, residents can also call the Broward County Hurricane Hotline at (954) 831-4000.

Window & Door Protection: Storm Shutters
With hurricane season right around the corner, our experiences of the past have taught us many lessons. One of them was that storm shutters can pose life-threatening barriers to exiting a burning building resulting in avoidable injury and death. If shutters are left in place when they are clearly not needed, lives are at risk. An ordinance exists prohibiting residents of occupied dwellings from leaving shutters in place in excess of 10 consecutive days after the storm watch or warning has been lifted.

There are exceptions that allow shutters to remain for a longer period. For example, if additional tropical activity is occurring and storm formation is likely to result in a storm watch condition to occur within 48 hours after the 10-day period ends, the shutters can stay up until that threat has also passed. The 10-day period begins anew as new storm threats approach Florida. The complete ordinance is available on the web site. [More Info]

• Ordinance 2005-02: Storm Shutter Ordinance