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4. Public Awareness and Education <br /> In order to better educate and inform the public of protective actions <br /> before disaster occurs, public information is critical for saving lives <br /> and minimizing property damage. Certain responsibilities exist for <br /> public information when Emergency Management plans are <br /> implemented. Public actions may depend upon public information <br /> during the period before a disaster is imminent, in an actual or <br /> threatening emergency situation, and in the post-emergency recovery <br /> period. <br /> Pre-disaster education programs serve to increase awareness of <br /> Emergency Management programs, educate the public on ways to <br /> protect life and property, and inform the public on the availability of <br /> further assistance and information. Our office maintains an on-going <br /> effort to provide public education programs throughout the year. The <br /> following components serve as an example of our on-going public <br /> awareness and education efforts: <br /> a. A booklet entitled Official Disaster Preparedness Guide for <br /> Indian River County is published each year (English and <br /> Spanish) and provides maps, zones, and other types of <br /> disaster preparedness information, to include high risk areas <br /> and evacuation routes. The booklets are distributed at public <br /> presentations, and are available at various locations <br /> throughout the county as well as the office of Emergency <br /> Management. <br /> b. During an emergency, our office telephones will be staffed on <br /> a 24-hour basis until the emergency has been abated. The <br /> advertised telephone number for our office is (772) 567-2154. <br /> In addition to this main phone line, additional phone lines will <br /> be established with the numbers broadcasted through the local <br /> media. For a 24-hour recorded weather update, citizens may <br /> call (772) 567-2129. <br /> C. During any period of disaster in Indian River County, the <br /> government access cable channel will be broadcasting live <br /> from our Emergency Operations Center. This capability will <br /> extend the Emergency Management's public outreach <br /> capabilities both in response to and recovery from a disaster, <br /> including information on where to go and who to call for <br /> assistance. Cable channel 27 will be the activated channel. <br /> Protective action information will be broadcast as necessary. <br /> Indian River County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan Annex I - Page ESF#14-5 <br />