Fire Rescue Division
P.O. Box 1458
Bartow, FL 33831
(863) 519-7350
www.polkfire.net
Chief David C. Cash
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Brad Ruhmann, cell: 863-581-5893
Polk County Fire Rescue Public Information Officer
2013 Hurricane Public Shelter Maps Now Available
POLK COUNTY, Fla. (May 8, 2013) – Hurricane season 2013 is fast-approaching and Polk
County Fire Rescue’s Emergency Management Bureau, along with Tourism and Sports
Marketing, are making sure residents and visitors know how to prepare for their families and
homes.
Emergency public shelter maps, with detailed directions to each of Polk County’s 43
public shelters, are available at libraries throughout the county. They will also be available at
many Publix Supermarkets in the area at the end of May. In addition, the maps include a list of
suggested items for a three-day survival kit, important telephone numbers and a list of shelters
that will accept pets during an emergency.
The 2013 emergency shelter map is red, so residents are urged to discard any other
color to best ensure updated information on Polk County’s primary shelters, special needs
shelters and pet-friendly shelters.
Public shelter maps will also be available at the annual hurricane expo, which will take
place at the Lake Eva Banquet Hall on Saturday, June 1 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Lake Eva
Banquet Hall is located at 799 Johns Ave. in Haines City. For more information about the
Hurricane Expo, go to http://www.polk-county.net/hurricaneexpo.
More information on Polk County’s primary shelters, special needs shelters and petfriendly shelters can be found at, www.polkfire.net.
- 30 Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR) is a division of the Board of County Commissioners. PCFR
provides fire, emergency medical and emergency management services to residents in a
2000-square-mile area, as well as provides mutual aid to surrounding counties. PCFR has
more than 600 full-time employees throughout 45 stations, which run more than 80,000 calls
each year.
bsr
Equal Opportunity Employer