CERT Update: Hurricane season is here. Are you prepared?
(Editor’s note: In the coming weeks, the Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District Community Emergency Response Team will be providing a series on disaster preparedness for islanders.)
Welcome to your CERT team’s series of Disaster Preparedness articles.
General Population Shelters!
1. A shelter is a safe place to be during an evacuation. But consider alternative evacuation locations before choosing to use a shelter. Remember a shelter is a lifeboat and not a cruise ship. Make a plan to stay with friends or family outside of your evacuation zone, if possible.
2. Lee County operates General Population, Pet-Friendly and Special Needs shelters. Access to electrical outlets may be limited. If you require electricity for health conditions (for example, CPAP, Oxygen Concentrators) or require mobility support, please register for Special Needs Shelters.
3. Special Needs shelters and Pet-Friendly shelters will be covered in the next article. But please note that all General Population shelters also take pets. No one will be turned away because they have a pet.
4. Shelters offers only the basic life-sustaining necessities. The shelter may not have electricity for most of your stay. It will be noisy, crowded, and somewhat uncomfortable.
5. Lee County has a limited number of shelters. Not all shelters will be open for every storm. A list of shelters can be found in the Lee County All Hazards Guide Online Edition, or on the EOC website at www.LeeEOC.com. Check the website, local news and social media for a current list of openings during a storm.
6. Service animals are allowed at all shelters.
7. Parking is available at shelters.
8. LeeTran will provide free transportation to a shelter from six locations on Pine Island and Matlacha, should evacuation orders be raised:
– Fire Station #3, 14861 Stringfellow Road
– Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Church, 12175 Stringfellow Road
– Pine Island Shopping Center, 9864 Stringfellow Road
– Flamingo Bay, Stringfellow Road and Curlew Road
– First Baptist Church, Oleander Street and Eighth Avenue
– Matlacha Community Park, 4577 Pine Island Road
9. If you will be using the free shelter transportation from LeeTran, storage space on the bus is limited. Bring only those items you need to ensure your health and safety.
10. Limited food and water will be available in the shelter.
11. To prepare for staying in a shelter, bring a three-day supply of your own food and water, medications, clothing, sleeping bags, wipes, and disinfectant. Cots are not provided.
12. Bring other items, as well: snacks, special dietary needs, clothing, and medications. Games and books for children are also recommended.
13. When you arrive at a shelter, register with the staff. Also be sure to check out with staff if you leave.
14. While in the shelter, be considerate of others.
REMINDER: Maintain your Emergency Supply kit by adding a few pieces each week. Check and rotate non-perishable food items.
Below is the summary list of actions you can take now, ahead of a storm, to be prepared. Use this list as a reminder each week of actions you can take now to be better prepared.
Prepare Now actions:
– Know your evacuation zone. Matlacha and Pine Island are Zone A.
– Make an Emergency Plan (Article #1)
– Know your warnings and alerts (Article #2)
– Register now, ahead of time, with Lee County if you have Special Needs – online at www.leeEOC.com or by calling Lee County Emergency Management at 239-533-0622; pre-registration is required! (Article #7)
– Review important documents (Article #4)
– Strengthen your home (Article #3)
– Get tech ready (Article #4)
– Help your neighborhood.
– Gather supplies (Article #2)
Have questions about this article? Interested in volunteering with our CERT team? You can contact the M/PIFCD, Station #1, at 239-283-0030, Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
(Editor’s note: After they appear in print, each of the CERT Updates is posted on The Eagle website at pineisland-eagle.com.)
To reach Narcissus E. Magturo and Karen Titolo, CERT team members, please email