Orange County Public Schools prepares for 2018 hurricane season

Coming off an active hurricane season that closed schools for six days, Orange County Public Schools is prepared for the start of the 2018 hurricane season.

The district continually assesses and updates its comprehensive all hazards emergency management plans, and takes steps to ensure readiness of school facilities, staff, students and families.

Current actions include:

• Information about the Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday from June 1-7 was sent home to parents in a Connect Orange message on May 30, the last day of school, to employees via email, and reminded the public through social media and website communications.
• During the week of June 1-7, the OCPS Safety and Emergency Management (SEM) Department will distribute hurricane readiness resources and discuss with district employees the need for hurricane emergency kits and items to include.
• On Saturday, June 9, Cypress Creek High will host the annual Orange County Hurricane Expo from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• OCPS school principals will attend district provided training on emergency evacuation shelter operations in June.

Two webinars have been scheduled for school administrators to learn more on how to conduct emergency drills and tabletop exercises. The webinars will be available online for those who are unable to attend the live sessions.

Additionally, the district prepares through the school year for emergencies. Here are some of the highlights:

• SEM team members completed the Red Cross Hurricane Shelter Operations Training in April and attended the Florida Governor’s Hurricane Conference in May.
• The district, in partnership with the Red Cross and Orange County Emergency Management, surveyed 43 OCPS emergency evacuation shelter sites and determined there is an available capacity of 17,785 to support emergency evacuations.
• SEM coordinated continuous improvement activities based on lessons learned during Hurricane Irma. These activities centered on improved preparedness and readiness capabilities.
• Two severe weather drills are conducted at each school location during the school year.
• Teachers and staff members participate in various emergency preparedness training and educational activities during the school year.
• SEM supports the use of www.ready.gov to gather information and resources to prepare individuals and their families for the hurricane season (www.ready.gov/hurricanes).

Orange County Public Schools has also redistributed the 2018-2019 school calendar to remind families about the prioritized bad weather days:

OCPS submitted this article.