Sarasota fights to stay vigilant in hurricane season

With the June 1 start of Atlantic hurricane season looming, Sarasota County and the city of Sarasota have to meticulously prepare for the worst-case scenario. As the last hurricane to hit Florida recedes further into the past, they have to deal with another challenge: keeping others prepared, too.

That’s why the two municipalities held a joint informational meeting Tuesday regarding hurricane season and emergency management. Representatives from the city, county, the Sarasota Police Department and the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office spoke largely about the importance of preparation.

The area has been impacted by tropical storms, but Florida has been spared from hurricanes in recent years. The last hurricane to make landfall in Florida was Hurricane Wilma, which hit Southwest Florida in October 2005. Officials are thankful for the reprieve from devastating storms, but County Manager Tom Harmer explained that it can also be a source of anxiety.

“It makes emergency managers a little bit nervous because you get a little bit rusty and the state gets to be a little bit rusty,” Harmer said. “The way to get that rust off of us is to practice.”

Both the county and the city have held tabletop hurricane training exercises with staff within the past month, drilling personnel on what their responsibilities are in the case of a major storm event. The municipalities may be able to clearly reiterate the importance of preparation to their own employees, but a greater challenge is getting through to the public at large.

“It’s a partnership,” City Manager Tom Barwin said. “All of our residents, all of our citizens have to pay attention to the warnings.”

Representatives stressed that citizens need to stay informed and listen to instructions. Ed McCrane, the county’s emergency management chief, said residents should have a plan to handle the first 72 hours of a storm on their own. During those times it can be difficult or impossible for officers to assist people.

“If you’re ready for 72 hours, you’ll be better off,” McCrane said. “You’ve got to have food; you’ve got to have water.”

Meteorologists currently project a moderate hurricane season, thanks in part to a potential El Niño event. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is forecasting eight to 13 named storms, three to six hurricanes and one to two major hurricanes. Still, officials stressed the importance of thorough preparation, offering disaster planning brochures and online resources for citizens.

“It is a partnership, and it’s critical that we work together to be successful as possible,” Harmer said. “All it takes is one storm.”

TAKING THE REINS
At Tuesday’s meeting, the city of Sarasota announced the hire of its own emergency manager, Todd Kerkering.

Kerkering is taking over as the city’s emergency manager after spending seven years under McCrane in the county’s emergency management department. Although the state and the county would take the lead if a major hurricane hit the area, Kerkering is responsible for managing the city’s resources and coordinating closely with the county.

To that end, his background made him a natural fit for the position, Sarasota Police Department Chief Bernadette DiPino said.

“His experience with Sarasota County as well as his expertise make him the ideal selection,” DiPino said. “We’re really excited.”

Kerkering worked as the county’s Planning Section Chief, and his responsibilities included preparing strategies for major incidents. That experience should also carry over to his new position; Kerkering said that, even if nothing catastrophic happens, the preparation for various scenarios never stops.

His work extends beyond hurricanes and other major weather events. Working with the SPD, Kerkering is responsible for emergency preparation on a year-round basis.

“When you do the parades, the boat races — you plan for those the same as you plan for a hurricane or tornado,” Kerkering said.

Kerkering, who grew up in Sarasota, said the new responsibilities represented a challenge for him. After years in the field of emergency management, it’s something he was more than prepared to face.

“I love challenges — it’s definitely my background to take on challenges,” Kerkering said. “I always enjoy giving back to the community I grew up in that was always good to me.”

Contact David Conway at [email protected]