School district discusses hurricane plan
School District of Lee County staff recently discussed the Hurricane/Hazard Emergency Plan changes going into this storm season, including ways to assess schools and open them faster if a hurricane impacts the area.
At the school board’s meeting on June 3, Safety, Security and Fleet Operations Chief Dave Newlan said with hurricane season kicking off that week, they continue to look at how to improve.
One of those areas is from a shelter perspective — shelter managers, principals and staff running the shelters. Staff has had discussions regarding the after action of what went well, what did not go well and how to improve.
Shelter training is currently taking place. Individuals are going to the sites, walking the sites, and working with the team and county to learn more about the shelter.
Newlan said they have implemented certain things going into this hurricane season.
District responsibilities are spelled out in the new plan as far as what should be done before, during and after an event.
Another new component is communication protocol, as certain communication is not available after a hurricane. He said the plan is the timing of how to communicate with one another and how to do that is in the policy.
The assessment of school site damage was also addressed. Newlan said the IT department is working with the operation developing an assessment tool, so the district can expedite that assessment of what is needed to get schools up and running.
“It will compile data faster, reopen our schools faster than we have had before,” he said.
Staffing volunteers is also part of the plan to help with recovering efforts. Newlan said they will have a volunteer list available for those who have remained in the area during a storm.
The district also has links for up-to-date information for employees, so that information can be pulled easily in the case they need to be contacted.
“We are hoping this is going to be a really quiet hurricane season. If we should have a storm, our leadership team is ready and well prepared,” Superintendent Dr. Denise Carlin said.
The presentation also touched upon the Lee County Emergency Operations Center’s Public Safety Center expansion, which was completed last month with a ribbon cutting. The expansion included technology upgrades to the situation room multi-screen system and High-Vis seamless technology. There were also telephone upgrades, new carpet and new furniture.
The situation room was scheduled to be completed and reopened by June 1.
Newlan said a new addition — a break out area for more sleeping, offices, showers and locker rooms — is a big difference and change.
“When you have an event like this you are not leaving the EOC,” he said, as people are working 12-hour shifts before taking a break to get enough rest to continue emergency efforts.
To reach MEGHAN BRADBURY / news@breezenewspapers.com, please email