City of Hollywood - CERT News & Frequently Asked Questions

Hurricane Season 2008 - Preparedness:
Dated: 08 APR 2008

The following tips will make you better prepared in the event of a hurricane. The best way to get ready for a hurricane is to be well prepared.

Hurricane Tips: REMEMBER THE BEST PLAN IS TO PLAN AHEAD!

#1. Now is the time to review your homeowner's insurance policy. Check with your agent to make sure you have enough coverage. You might find you do not have enough coverage. The time to find out is now, not when a hurricane is bearing down on you.

#2. Trim your trees and bushes now for better air flow through the tree canopy. The trees will be able to withstand high winds better once they are thinned out.

#3. Check your roof for loose shingles or tiles. If they are loose, get them fixed now, rather than waiting for a storm to blow them off and they become projectiles.

#4. Install either hurricane panels over windows and doors, accordion shutters, impact resistant windows or, as a last resort, use plywood.

#5. Think about purchasing a portable generator and have a licensed electrician install a hookup for thegenerator.

#6. Get a "Family Preparedness" plan from the following website:
- NOAA
- FEMA
- American Red Cross

Below are some questions you need to ask yourself and your family:

#1. Does your out-of-state family know how to contact you after a hurricane?
#2. Do you have a "safe room"? Where is it and do your children know where it is?
#3. If you have a pet? What are your plans to do with your pet?

Need help answering these questions (and others)?
Call these frequently-called numbers for Hollywood residents. Links to other important organization and their contact information are provided on the 'Links' page.

Hurricane Hotline:	(954) 831-4000
Hearing Impaired TDD/TTY:	(954) 831-3940
Broward American Red Cross:	(954) 763-9900
Florida Power & Light:	(954) 797-5000
People's Gas Company:	(877) 832-6747
Broward County Special Needs Registry:	(954) 537-2888
Broward County Emergency Management:	(954) 831-3900

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

A Message from the Mayor / Commissioners Office of Hollywood, Florida USA
Sent: Monday, July 21, 2008 8:15 AM

Sadly we report the passing of Mr. Chuck Vollman, longtime Hollywood resident and active participant in civic groups, city government and the Hollywood Fire Rescue Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). You can read more about Chuck's accomplishments and recognitions on a webpage dedicated to him by his family.

In lieu of flowers, the Vollman family has requested donations to the American Cancer Society:

Donate by Phone
American Cancer Society
(To donate via telephone)
Call: 1-800-227-2345

Donate by Mail
American Cancer Society
P.O. Box 22718
Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718

The following news article is dedicated in loving memory of
Charles Francis Vollman
for his meritorious service to CERT
and the entire community of Hollywood, Florida USA.

South Florida

Hollywood seeks CERT volunteers

By Sergy Odiduro
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
July 20, 2008

Hurricane season is here and Hollywood's Community Emergency Response Team is looking for leaders and active residents willing to step up when help is needed.

CERT is a national program initiated by the Los Angeles Fire Department in 1985 to train residents in assisting the fire department and other government agencies during disaster relief.

The program has proven beneficial to overwhelmed government agencies that normally handle emergencies in the midst of a catastrophe.

Sam Rivera, Hollywood's CERT coordinator, has been involved with the program for 11 years. He says CERT is a good way to get involved in the community while learning a variety of life-saving skills.

"[CERT members] work with the fire department to learn to identify emergencies around the home, basic fire suppression, simple search and rescue of homes and basic first aid," he said. "Each member is trained to take care of themselves and their neighbor."

Interested applicants must be at least 18 and submit to a background check. Certification to become a member involves taking a two and a half hour course, one evening a week, over a seven-week period. Instruction is given under the guidance of the Hollywood Fire Department.

"One of the things about this training is that people come in on their own time," said Mark Steele, battalion chief with the department. "I applaud their efforts. It's really good to see people come in on their days off, during their busy schedules, and devote the time into getting this training, and all because they want to help their community post-disaster."

There are close to 400 members listed as CERT members in Hollywood. However, the number of active participants has dwindled. Steele usually notices that there are a high number of participants, particularly after a hurricane, but it tapers off if there is no storm activity.

"You have outrageous participation at first, but like everyone else, we often get complacent especially when there are no hurricanes," Steele said. "We see so much disaster and we're always on edge, especially at this time of the year, that I think people want to help, for their own benefit but also to help their neighbors."

Steele emphasized that the community runs its own CERT unit. They are vital in post-disaster relief, where they are used alongside city employees in rapid assessment that determines where help is most needed.

Eddy Wagner, who stumbled upon the CERT program at a Hollywood meeting a year ago, said they're is looking for a diverse group of participants who can help the cause.

"I'm a Hollywood citizen. I want everybody to join so we can help each other in the event of a catastrophe or major disaster when a major service can't get to us."