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<br /> <br /> <br />With regard to heavy equipment for debris pickup, Director Davis advised that they <br />did well after the first storm but the equipment and staff were stressed due to the enormity and <br />duration of the cleanup effort that went on for several months with limited equipment. Hiring <br />independent contractors and setting up two staging sites helped. He suggested an ordinance be <br />adopted to allow emergency pickup in private subdivisions for public health and safety. If that is <br />regulated by ordinance FEMA will reimburse the costs. Using local providers and resources puts <br />money in the pockets of local people and that is good for the economy. <br />Discussion ensued concerning prompt payment for those local providers and the <br />need for up-to-date road mapping. <br />Concerns were expressed regarding the slow response from FPL and the need for <br />them to respond more quickly to our county. <br />There was also discussion on evacuation and length of time it took to reach <br />destinations thought to be out of hurricane range. We are growing and it is going to get worse. It <br />was noted that the Governor is the only authority who can enact the plan for reverse highways. <br />(Clerk’s Note: Commissioner Neuberger left the meeting at approximately 10:30 for <br />another appointment. <br />Fire Chief Ernie McCloud, Firefighting, ESF#4, recounted the difficulties <br />encountered by the Fire Department because of the stations sustaining damage. Fortunately new <br />stations are already in process and moving full steam ahead. The buildings need to be able to <br />withstand major storms, be hooked into sewers, and have generators to run the entire station for at <br />least 7 days. Previous hurricanes were 3-day events, but we found from Hurricane Frances that our <br />planning was not sufficient for 5 days and the stations had to be re-supplied with food, water, and <br />other supplies. Our facilities were our largest problems. <br />Discussion followed concerning the status of the fire stations and possible grants. <br />Nate McCollum, Information & Planning, ESF #5, spoke about the drawbacks of <br />using Conference Room A as the EOC and the 8 to 12 hours it takes to set up the room for active <br />use for emergencies. He also spoke about the food and water distribution sites as well as staging <br />April 15, 2005 5 <br /> <br />