Emergency Management
Department
Emergency Management is an ALL HAZARDS
department responsible for the Mitigation,
Preparedness, Response and Recovery of all
types of natural and manmade incidents. This
department is also responsible for Emergency
Management in Wauchula, Zolfo Springs, and
Bowling Green. Planning for wind events,
large fires, hazmat, terrorism, agricultural
incidents, weather events and everything in
between is the primary role of our department.
Interaction with all local municipalities is crucial to ensure that all agencies involved in the
incident are working on the same plan.
Hardee County’s Pet-Friendly Shelter Program
The Pet-Friendly Shelter Program is a collaborative
effort between The Hardee County Board of County
Commissioners, The Hardee County School Board,
The Hardee County Health Department, The American Red Cross, and the animal service providers in
Hardee County.
Mission Statement
It is the mission of the Pet Friendly Shelter Task
Force to establish a refuge of last resort to provide
a measure of safety for domestic household pets
and their owners during catastrophic disasters.
Registration
All pets and their families must pre-resister to be
eligible for the program. Registration is easy and
takes a few minutes. Download an application from
our website at www.hardeecounty.net/eoc and
click on the Pet Friendly Shelter link or call our
office at 863-773-6373.
Staff
The Pet Friendly Shelter will be staffed by volunteers and trained animal care professionals. Additionally, there will be a veterinarian on-call for
emergencies. Only animal owners and/or pet care
techs will be permitted to contact the animals while
in the shelter.
Acceptable Animals at the Pet Friendly Shelter
WATCH and WARNING…
Know the Difference
A HURRICANE WATCH issued for your County indicates
the possibility that you could experience hurricane conditions within 36 hours. This WATCH should trigger
your family’s disaster plan, and protective measures
should be initiated—especially those actions that require extra time such as securing outside items or
evacuating, ect.
A HURRICANE WARNING issued for your County indicates that sustained winds of at least 74 mph are expected within 24 hours. Once this warning has been
issued, your family should be in the process of completing protective actions and deciding the safest location to
be during the storm.
Dogs—Puppies:
> Must be in a crate or k e n n e l
large enough for the animal to
turn and lie down.
> Aggressive or growling dogs
will be admitted only with the approval of the on-call veterinarian.
Cats—Kittens:
> Domestic cats only, no feral
or wild-trapped.
> Must be in a crate or kennel.
HURRICANE CATEGORIES
CAT. 1 74-95 mph
No real damage to building structures. Damage primarily to unanchored mobile homes,
shrubbery, and trees.
Cat. 2
Cat. 3
Cat. 4
Cat. 5
Birds:
> Only domestic birds in cages at
all times.
96-110 mph
Some roofing material, door, and window
damage. Considerable damage to vegetation,
mobile homes, etc. Flooding damages piers
and small craft in unprotected moorings may
break their moorings.
111-130 mph
Some structural damage to small residences
and utility buildings, with a minor amount of
curtainwall failures. Mobile homes are destroyed. Flooding near the coast destroys
smaller structures with larger structures
damaged by floating debris. Terrain may be
flooded well inland.
131-155 mph
More extensive curtainwall failures with some
complete roof structure failure on small residences. Major erosion of beach areas. Terrain
may be flooded well inland.
155 mph +
Major damage to residential & commercial
structures. Massive evacuation may be
required.
Ferrets/Rodents/Rabbits):
> Only common domestic
breeds.
> Must be in cages at all times.
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Animals that are not permitted
Exotics (primates, snakes, etc.)
Spiders/Insects
Farm/Agricultural animals
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All animals must have the following
Collar and ID tag
Proof of current vaccinations
Proof of ownership
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What to bring
Food
Leash (if applicable)
Toys/comfort items
Crate, cage, kennel
Bedding
Have A Plan!
Before severe weather impacts our area, you need a
family disaster plan. Some things that should be included:
♦ An out of town contact so someone will know your
plans
♦ A minimum of 3 days supply of food and drinking
water
♦ Flashlights and batteries
♦ A battery operated radio and weather radio
♦ A ready supply of cash
♦ Fill you car with fuel
♦ Have an evacuation plan that includes locations of
hotels that accept pets
♦ Have a meeting place for your family if you become separated
For more information, please visit
www.floridadisaster.org
Before a hurricane threatens our community
Whether you own a pet or not, your first option
should be to leave the area. Hurricane warnings
are issued well before a storm makes landfall so
the best course of action is to leave.
If evacuation isn’t an option and your home is of
sturdy construction, consider sheltering in place.
If you aren’t in a flood-prone area, sheltering in
place can be a viable alternative. All animal care
providers in Hardee County board dogs and cats.
Make arrangements well before a storm impacts
our area.
Your last option should be public shelters. If you
have no way to leave and you feel unsafe in your
home, you should seek refuge in a public shelter.
Animal Care Providers
All Creatures Animal Hospital 863-773-9215
Pet Care Center
863-773-5013
Hardee Animal Clinic
863-773-2424
Henderson Animal Care
863-773-4047
If you or your agency would like to schedule a
Disaster Preparedness Presentation, please contact
our office and the Emergency Management staff will
be happy to assist you.
Remember…. Being prepared before a disaster
strikes will ensure the safety of you and your family
members.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS WEBSITES:
Emergency Management: www.myflorida.com
www.floridadisaster.org
Weather:
www.srh.noaa.gov
Hardee Co. Shelters:
www.hardeecounty.net/eoc
Pet Friendly Shelter:
www.hardeecounty.net/eoc
American Red Cross:
www.redcross.org
FEMA:
www.fema.gov
National Weather Srv: www.noaa.gov
For important information about creating your
own Family Disaster Plan, please visit:
www.floridadisaster.org
HARDEE COUNTY
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
404 WEST ORANGE STREET
WAUCHULA, FLORIDA 33873
863-773-6373 (OFFICE)
863-773-9390 (FAX)
Website:
www.hardeecounty.net/eoc
RICHARD SHEPARD, DIRECTOR
MISSION STATEMENT
Thank you for the opportunity to serve
and protect the citizens of
Hardee County.
The mission of the Emergency Management Department is to reduce the
vulnerability of people and communities of Hardee County, to prevent loss
of life, injury or damage and loss of
property resulting from natural, technological, and manmade emergencies
and to reduce the vulnerability of the
infrastructure of the County and it’s
Cities.