NEWS

BRACE helping community move toward storm preparedness

Jessica Brown

Imagine this: A Category 4 hurricane strikes the Pensacola area directly.

Hard-working, well-meaning citizens from all over the United States travel here to assist with recovery.

Truckloads of donated food and supplies arrive to be distributed to those in need. In keeping with its commitment to the community, the United Way of Escambia County implements its emergency operations plan. It is the role of the United Way to manage and task the incoming volunteers and to warehouse and redistribute the donated goods.

Post-landfall damage assessment reveals that the facilities previously designated to handle volunteers and donations were destroyed by the 150 mph winds.

The needs of many hang in the balance while United Way scrambles to locate adequate, alternate space.

This is where the Be Ready Alliance steps in. Within minutes, through use of the BRACE resource inventory, warehouse and office space are located and secured. What could have been a disaster within a disaster is diverted, and efforts and energy turn once again to addressing the needs of the community.

BRACE is a local network that links community, governmental and faith-based organizations, businesses and volunteers during disasters to address emergency-management issues.

BRACE helps reduce loss of life, injury, property damage, environmental impact and economic loss due to disasters by fostering communication, cooperation, collaboration and coordination among private, public and nonprofit organizations.

BRACE will help our community become more prepared, resilient and self-sufficient.

BRACE launched on March 31 with more than 200 present at Pensacola Junior College when Craig Fugate, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, addressed a "Culture of Preparedness" and subject matter experts presented information about preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation. Recognizing that recovery from Hurricane Ivan was delayed because of the absence of an organization focused on disaster preparedness and response, the leadership of the Long Term Recovery Committee served as a catalyst for the establishment of BRACE.

Gov. Jeb Bush has set a budgetary priority to establish a "Culture of Preparedness" to ensure Floridians and their local governments take the necessary safety measures in preparation for the 2006 hurricane season.

"BRACE's first priority is promoting personal responsibility and self-sufficiency in times of emergency," said Greg Strader, interim executive director. "This is especially critical due to the National Hurricane Center's prediction of a decade or more of frequent and intense hurricanes."

Disaster planning and preparedness enhances the effectiveness of response and speeds recovery. Engaging all sectors of the community will provide additional resources for disaster preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation.

BRACE conducted its first members meeting May 16 at the Escambia County Department of Public Safety. The purpose of this meeting was to share the goals of BRACE, provide information about other disaster preparedness and recovery activities taking place within the community and invite input from the membership, prospective members and attending public on initiatives for the upcoming year. The next meeting will be June 22 at 9 a.m. in the Edison Auditorium at the Gulf Power building on Bayfront Parkway.

"Experience in emergency management is not required for membership," said Jackie Bell, membership chairman. "Any organization or individual committed to making the community more disaster resilient is encouraged to be a part of BRACE."

United Way of Escambia County was able to provide staffing through external grant funding and has been able to provide additional support through the United Way funds distribution process.

Jessica Brown is the marketing and communications director for United Way of Escambia County.