Emergency Management Gears Up for Full-Scale Exercise and Hurricane Preparedness

Posted On: April 30, 2024

Volusia County's Emergency Management Division is getting ready for a series of preparedness events over the next two weeks. On Wednesday, May 1, Emergency Management staff and other County divisions will participate in a full-scale SunRail training exercise at Lake Beresford Park in collaboration with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the Central Florida Rail Commission. News media interested in observing the exercise must RSVP to the FDOT District Five Public Information Office at [email protected]. Lake Beresford Park will reopen once the exercise has ended, which is anticipated in the early afternoon, and those in the area should not be alarmed if they see emergency personnel or vehicles or hear sirens during this period.

Later that day, at 5:30 p.m., the division will hold a hurricane preparedness town hall at the Daytona Beach Regional Library, 105 Jackie Robinson Parkway. Attendees will receive information on preparing for hurricanes, safeguarding their homes and properties, understanding County and partner coordination during storms, and have the opportunity to ask questions. The division will host four additional town halls after this meeting throughout May and June at various public libraries.

Additionally, Emergency Management, in collaboration with the Volusia Coalition of Organizations Active in Disasters and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida, is hosting the 2024 Hurricane Expo. This event is scheduled for Saturday, May 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Volusia County UF/IFAS Extension Office, 3100 E. New York Ave., DeLand. Located in the Hester and Daugharty buildings adjacent to the Volusia County Fairgrounds, the expo will feature over 50 vendors and organizations. New and long-time residents will learn about proper sandbag placement, how to assemble hurricane readiness kits, and receive advice on property preparation topics like roofing, tree removal, and hurricane shutters. The expo will also provide resources for residents still recovering from the 2022 storms.

Following the expo, May 5-11 marks National Hurricane Preparedness Week. During this week, the Emergency Management Division will post valuable information on its social media platforms to further educate the public on preparing for the upcoming hurricane season.

Media interested in interviewing staff from the Emergency Management Division about hurricane season preparations or community groups seeking presentations on hurricane readiness from the Emergency Management Division, such as homeowners associations, may contact Clayton Jackson at [email protected].