Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 09-08-2009 regular — reading text

Public Education — Support mitigation activities that help to educate the public about the infrequent but possible risk of winter storms in the area. Shelter Evaluation —Ensure mitigation activities for shelters include an assessment of the availability of heating systems that could function in the event of an ice storm in the County, including the ability to generate electricity. Public Building Preparedness — Support mitigation activities that reduce or eliminate vulnerability to freezing ( such as those that protect water pipes) or provide secondary heating or electrical systems for first responder or other vital emergency management functions. Communications —Ensure mitigation activities within communications systems to ensure capabilities to communicate during and following a winter storm ( particularly relating to electrical systems). Heat Waves and Drought The primary challenges to the County during a heat wave and drought is to ensure electrical service is maintained to run air conditioners, that adequate private sector air 2009 LMS Update for BCC Page 11 of 14 25- conditioning services are available to serve public and private buildings, and that water is available. In a drought, the challenge may simply be to monitor water supplies, to provide water as an emergency resource for critical situations, and to restrict use by the public, as appropriate. Although not as critical as freezing conditions and the need for warmth and heating, air conditioning can be a critical need for some segments of the populations ( elderly, very young, ill). Limited public sheltering might be necessary in extreme conditions, and the ability to provide cool air for those in need would be critical. This could point to the need for generators for a shelter that might be used in a heat wave. Drain on the overall electrical system due to high demand might also impact emergency operations, especially as it relates pumpingto water and communications. Again, electrical generators may be a key mitigation mechanism. Agricultural interests are also at risk. With crops, there is little that can be done other than irrigate. Livestock and poultry must be watered ( and drought can lead to a lack of feed supplies). Public education about the hazards of heat and need to stay cool hydrated, and at a pace of work that is sensible is a routine mitigation activity because of the warm climate. Most individuals living in the area are accustomed to living in a hot summer climate. The following are the primary methods of mitigation that could reduce the impacts of severe heat and drought to Okaloosa County and its municipalities and are supported by the LMS Steering Committee: Public; Education — Support mitigation activities that help to educate the public about the infrequent but possible risk of winter storms in the area. Shelter Evaluation —Ensure mitigation activities for shelters include an assessment of the availability of heating systems that could function in the event of an ice storm in the County. Public; Building Preparedness — Support mitigation activities that reduce, or eliminate vulnerability to freezing ( such as those that protect water pipes) or provide secondary heating or electrical systems for first responder or other vital emergency management functions. Communications -- Ensure mitigation activities within communications systems to ensure capabilities to communicate during and following a winter storm ( particularly relating to electrical systems). Agricultural Interests - Support mitigative measures ( with the advice of IFAS and the NFICS) that would identify public measures that would help agricultural, forestry, and aquacultural interests in the County. Wildfire 2009 LMS Update for BCC Page 12 of 14 26- Perhaps the second greatest natural hazard risk in the County ( behind hurricanes) is wildfire. A dry weather pattern ( even beginning a few days following a rain event when low humidity is achieved) can create a hazard that may threaten timberlands, grasslands, and developed areas. The natural vegetative ecology is fire dependant. Because of the interwoven pattern of development, vacant lots, timberlands, state forests, military reservations, national park areas, and pastures... and added to that the number of sources that can cause fires ( catalytic converters, garbage burning, arson, campfires, lightning, etc.), the risk of wildfire the County and its municipalities is extraordinarily high during the right weather conditions. Hurricanes ( such as Ivan in 2004) can add leaves and wood to existing fuel on the forest floor. Debris can also ignite, spreading fires into locations that can quickly impact houses. The LMS Steering Committee believes wildfire is as serious a threat as hurricanes to all areas of the County and its municipalities. Although damage is unlikely to be as widespread as a hurricane, it is possible that tens of thousands of residents and business could be impacted under the right conditions. Whole counties in other portions of Florida have had to evacuate due to massive fires, and similar conditions in Okaloosa County could cause similar sized evacuations and disaster conditions. The primary focus of mitigation activities should be public awareness and education, cooperative efforts and partnership building with the Florida Division of F=orestry, and support of all of the County and municipal fire departments and their supporting agencies. There should be close correlation between planning activities and how development interfaces with rural, fire prone lands. The Division of Forestry has an excellent system of mapping the most fire prone locations that can be used by the County and its municipalities for planning and mitigation purposes. This interaction can assist in understanding the needs of local fire departments and water systems to assist in suppressing wildland fires. The following are the primary methods of mitigation that could reduce the impacts of wildfire to Okaloosa County and its municipalities and are supported by the LMS Steering Committee: Public Education - Support the activities of local fire departments and the Florida Division of Forestry in promoting " FireWise" programs, local inspections, and enforcement activities to reduce or eliminate wildfire risk. Planning and Development — Support activities that integrate wildfire mitigation techniques with design and review processes of subdivision plats to reduce risks to new communities through cooperative efforts between land planning offices, fire departments and the Florida Division of Forestry. Mapping and Updates —Support activities that newly document or update maps, aerial photography, or other remote sensing imagery that shows degrees of risk ( Levels of Concern) for wildfire and utilize such data to focus mitigation activities against wildfire. Fire Department Response Systems and Capabilities —Ensure that fire stations and their supporting equipment and personnel are adequate in 2009 LMS Update for BCC Page 13 of 14 27_  terms of size, modernization, communications, in order to respond to situations by mitigating situations that are below acceptable standards to fight wildfires throughout the County and to provide mutual aid support in neighboring jurisdictions or counties. Water Supplies — As appropriate, support public and private mitigation efforts to provide fire hydrants to locations at risk along the urban /rural interface where water systems exist to provide such services. Other Hazards Earthquake: Earthquakes have been felt in recent years in the Jay ( Santa Rosa County) area. These quakes have been centered about 15 miles northwest of Jay in Alabama along the Pollard Graben ( a regional " stable" fault system). Although there is no specific documentation, oil extraction activities in the area may be the cause of the earthquakes. At this time, the LMS Steering Committee is not supporting mitigation activities for earthquakes due to the infrequency, the small magnitude, and overall low risk of earthquakes to the County. This may be reconsidered should researchers ( such as those from the U. S. Geological Survey) determine the risk is greater than what has been previously thought. Avalanche: TherE.1 is no risk of avalanche in the County. The LMS Steering Committee will not support mitigation activities for this hazard. Land Subsidence: There is no risk of land subsidence in the County. The LMS Steering Committee not support mitigation activities for this hazard unless will documentation is provided that it is becoming an issue at some location within the County. Landslide: Since there is virtually no risk of a landslide in the County, the LMS Steering Committee will not support mitigation activities for this hazard. Tsunami: Due to the 2004 tsunamis in Southeast Asia, there is widespread concern in the United States about tsunami risk. Section 4 of this plan documents the tsunami risk for Okaloosa County. Unless studies released by U. S. Government or other sources demonstrate that the County is at much greater risk than previous thought, the LMS '.-:> teering Committee will not support mitigation activities for this hazard. Volcano: There is no risk of volcanic activity in the County. The LMS Steering Committee will not support mitigation activities for this hazard. 2009 LMS Update for BCC Page 14 of 14 28_  0 0 0 0 00 Of w W- w w