Preparing for a Hurricane
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The National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration is predicting an above-normal, active Atlantic hurricane season. Regardless of whether or not Tampa Bay experiences a hurricane this year, everyone should be prepared. Hurricane season runs from June 1st through November 30th, so now is the time to focus on preparedness. Follow the steps below to ensure you are ready should you find yourself in the path of a storm.
1. Know Your Zone
Find your evacuation zone by visiting pinellascounty.org/emergency, or by downloading the free Ready Pinellas App onto your mobile device. If your zone is ordered to evacuate, it is imperative you move quickly and safely out of the area before the storm makes landfall.
2. Register for an Emergency Access Permit
(Only applies to residents in the Barrier Islands)
If you live in the Barrier Islands, make sure you have an emergency access permit. When a Mandatory Evacuation Order is lifted, law enforcement officials will scan the permits at designated re-entry points, which will enable you to return home. Barrier Islands’ residents may register directly with their municipal government during its general office hours. If you have already registered for this permit, you do not need to register again. To determine if your municipality is included in the Barrier Islands, visit www.pcsoweb.com/emergency-access-permit, or call the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office non-emergency line at 727-582-6200.
3. Make a Plan
If you are ordered to evacuate, you’ll need to find safe shelter. First, try to find a family member or close friend to stay with. If that is not possible, locate an emergency shelter as a last resort.
4. Create a Shelter-in-Place Hurricane Survival Kit
Purchase essential items now so that you can acquire everything you need while stores are well stocked. Use the list below as a guide:
- Battery-operated, or crank, radio
- Extra batteries
- Flashlights/lanterns
- One gallon of water per person per day
- First-aid kit, including: bandages, antibiotic ointment, hand sanitizer, soap, sunscreen, and pain reliever
- Non-perishable food, for example: peanut butter, dry cereal, rice, granola bars, canned goods
- Rain gear
- Mosquito repellent
- At least one fully-charged cell phone and/or battery-operated phone charger
- Sanitation products: toilet paper, wipes, plastic garbage bags, paper towels
5.Stay Connected
Follow the Pinell as County Sheriff’s Office on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram to receive timely information about hurricane preparedness, as well as important safety alerts during a hurricane warning and response. You can also search the hashtag #GetReadyPinellas for more information.
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Thank you for coming out to our 2021 K-9 Graduation! Our new teams, Sergeant Kilian and K-9 Eddie and Deputy Clement and K-9 Creed, are already hard at work tracking down criminals in Pinellas County. If you couldn’t make it out this year, you can watch this highlight video of some of the best moments and read a few details about our new K-9s below.
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Introducing: K-9 Eddie
By Sergeant Mike Kilian
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Breed: German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois Mix
Birthplace: Hungary
Unique Characteristics: K-9 Eddie has the colors of a German Shepherd, but a head like a Belgian Malinois
Quirks: K-9 Eddie loves to jump on things and his tail never stops wagging. He has a very friendly disposition toward people and other animals. The other handlers said he was energetic and friendly, like Buddy the Elf, during K-9 school, so everyone started saying, “what’s your favorite color?” when he was around.
Favorite Toy: Tug Toy!
Favorite Activity: Going through the agility course and tracking.
Home Life: I have four other dogs at home, so K-9 Eddie is getting used to living in a full house, but he’s friendly with everyone.
Current Performance: K-9 Eddie is doing great and had two catches in his first week on the job.
Meaning Behind the Name: Sergeant Kilian’s first dog was named “Axel” after Axel Foley from the movie Beverly Hills Cop. This started the tradition of Sgt. Kilian naming all his dogs after Eddie Murphy movie.
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Introducing: K-9 Creed
By Deputy Jeff Clement
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Breed: Dutch Shepherd
Birthplace: Poland
Unique Characteristics: Creed has very bright eyes. One of our trainers said they look like a lemur’s eyes because they are so striking. They definitely create an intimidating stare to people who don’t know him, but Creed is a super friendly dog.
Quirks: Creed is a super social dog and loving, but he can also be tenacious when he needs to. This is my third dog, so I’ve enjoyed applying a lot of theories and training I’ve gathered over the years.
Favorite Toy: Tug Toy!
Favorite Activity: Creed loves to run and always does multiple laps around our yard at home.
Home Life: Creed gets along with everyone at home and plays a lot. He’s already become a member of our pack.
Current Performance: Creed has not had any calls for service yet, so he has been getting to know everyone at the sheriff’s office.
Meaning Behind the Name: I’m from the Philadelphia area, and I felt like the name “Rocky” from the movies was already overused, and I wanted something unique, so I chose Creed. I like the fact that the name has two meanings because it’s based on the fighting character of Rocky, but it also stands for the creed we live by as K-9 teams, which is to serve and protect people.
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Job Feature: Records Data Technician
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The Records Data Technician transcribes reports from deputies live over the phone and enters them into a records system. The main functions of this role involve data entry, research, and communication. Organization, typing, knowledge of basic grammar, and computer skills are basic requirements of this position. To learn more and apply , click here.
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Staying Safe on the Water
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Many boating accidents are caused by avoidable mistakes. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, in 2019, 613 people died as a result of a recreational boating accident. Seventy-nine percent of the victims in fatal boating accidents drowned, and of those who drowned, 86% were not wearing a life jacket. In addition, the U.S. Coast Guard reports that alcohol is still the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents.
While accidents may happen on the water, you can always be prepared and follow safety procedures when you go boating. Spring and summer months are high times for activities on the water in Tampa Bay, and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office’s Marine & Environmental Lands Unit will be very active patrolling the Intracoastal Waterway, freshwater lakes, and the Gulf of Mexico.
Follow these tips to stay safe this summer:
1. Never Go Boating Under the Influence
Operating a vessel under the influence of drugs or alcohol is illegal and will increase the chances of a boating accident. Not only is it against the law, but it can also result in lives lost and thousands of dollars in fines. Just as you would before a night out, designate an operator before heading out on the water.
2. Always Have Life Jackets on Board
The law requires you to have a life jacket for each person aboard your vessel. Children under the age of 6 must wear a USCG–approved life jacket at all times on any vessel less than 26 feet in length while it is underway. If you are ever in need of a child-size life vest, visit any of our free Operation Kid Float kiosks throughout Pinellas County. Take one for a day and then return it when you're done using it. For a list of Operation Kid Float locations, click here.
3. Have a Float Plan
Inform your close friends and family members about the details of your trip, including the name and address of the trip leader, boat type and registration, the names of all the passengers, and the trip schedule. Also, make sure more than one person on board is familiar with the boat’s operations and general boating safety in case the primary operator is injured or incapacitated in any way.
4. Watch for Manatees
The Florida manatee is a threatened species and protected by federal and state laws. Operators are required to reduce their boat’s speed in certain zones in Pinellas County. The PCSO Marine & Environmental Lands Unit regularly monitors and enforces these zones. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission provides a manatee protection zone map on their website so that boaters can stay up to date on these restricted areas.
5. Be Prepared Before You Venture Out
Oftentimes, families head out on their trip quickly and forget essential items. Create a pre-departure checklist to ensure you have all the necessary equipment on board before you hit the water, including: life jackets, sound-producing devices, distress signals, fuel and oil, fire extinguisher, a radio, anchor and dock line, basic toolbox, first-aid kit, and flashlights.
Click here to watch a video about our Marine & Environmental Lands Unit.
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