On Aug. 29 a storm in Florence and Coolidge damaged critical infrastructure that provides power and telecommunications support to our region. Another storm on Sept. 3 blacked out a wide area of Casa Grande.
The response from Coolidge, Florence and Casa Grande emergency personnel, county staff and the Sheriff’s Office was outstanding. More heartwarming to each of us is the compassion, cooperation and patience demonstrated by the thousands of affected residents.
Monsoon storms are nothing new to Pinal County. The fact that they come on some of the hottest days can turn an ordinary storm into a serious emergency. Cooling centers were set up, supplied with backup power and staffed for shelter residents during the sweltering heat.
Red Cross and other volunteer agencies left their families to tend to the needs of people in the emergency shelters. Behind the scenes local law enforcement and fire personnel increased patrols to ensure that the affected areas remained safe.
Because the Coolidge storm took out more than ten poles rigged with lines from APS and Electrical District 2, recovery was going to take more time. Pinal County Health and Human Services team members identified 120 clients in the area and mobilized staff to assist with their health and safety needs.
After large-scale emergencies like Hurricane Katrina and the Sept. 11 terror attacks, state and local governments recognized the need for integrated emergency response planning. Since then, our planning and coordination with cities, towns, first responders and relief agencies continues to be tested, drilled and reviewed.
Pinal County Development Services hosted an After-Action review for county departments and electrical utilities involved in these events. They will continue to implement steps to provide safe, effective response to any emergency that may affect county residents.
There are important steps that you should also take to ensure your family’s safety in an emergency. Residential Emergency Preparedness was the topic of Pinal County’s 2006 Town Hall. Now is a good time to look at the county’s Web site to establish your own emergency plan. Here are a few simple things you can do:
· Have enough food and water to last 72 hours. This means things that can be grilled, eaten or prepared without electric power. Don’t forget to include the needs of your pets or companion animals.
· Have a 72-hour supply of important medications, along with formula and diapers if there are infants at home, as well as personal hygiene items.
· Have a first aid kit, a flashlight and fresh spare batteries.
· Have access to a cellular telephone or at least one corded telephone. If your household power is out, wireless house phones will not work.
· Use a battery-operated AM or AM/FM radio and tune to news radio stations for updates.
· Have warm blankets or sleeping bags in case your heat goes out in winter.
· Have money for emergency shelter or hotel stays, if necessary.
This is only a partial list. Please visit www.ready.gov to see what other steps you should take. There are special sections for business owners/managers and helpful tips for older citizens or people with special needs.
Thank you again for your coordination, cooperation and for being such great examples of the spirit of Pinal County.
