5/25/1983 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MAY 2 5 1983 Commissioner Wodtke felt the best idea he heard presented in regard to informing people where to find hurricane shelters was the suggestion to work cooperatively with the local telephone company and put charts on the back page of the telephone book. He next addressed the closing hours of bridges, noting that the Coast Guard has jurisdiction over the bridges and the District Director can close a bridge at his discretion. He continued that as to legal liability in a disaster, the key is to have a plan, to put responsibility in a responsible place, and have someone in place to make a decision. Commissioner Lyons reported on the effect of hurricanes on building construction, stating that it has been learned that the buildings left standing after hurricanes were the ones that were well tied together. He informed the Board that Barber Bridge is one of about two bridges in the U.S. that has a rule that says during a hurricane a boat can get it opened (Reg. 117.38A), and he would like the Attorney to see if we can't get that changed. If we have an evacuation going over the bridge and a boat owner whistles and we don't open it and his -boat is damaged, he believed we would be liable. Commissioner Lyons next discussed the definition of what and when is a hurricane, the need for a dried food supply which would last for several days, emergency medicine, and the question of who is coming to work to man needed services, hospitals, etc. He felt we should readdress what our situation might be with a major emergency and have a study made as to the condition of i-95 and U.S.I to handle an evacuation from the Miami area. Commissioner Lyons noted there were some very good lectures•re liability, i.e., don't take on the duty unless you have the power. He felt we must determine whether our ordinances are such that we have emergency powers and also whether we have any 34 &I