Suggestion Box for Irma
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  1. #1
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    Suggestion Box for Irma

    So what were some of the good and bad points that we can all learn from during this ordeal? Suggestions for next time?

  2. #2
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    Food, water, and a generator at the shelter would be nice.

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by Unregistered View Post
    Food, water, and a generator at the shelter would be nice.
    For unknown administrative reasons, this was the most confusing storm ever. There has never been this much confusion at the public safety level. During past storms, we did not have "confusion reigning," but we did this time. It felt like no one was in charge because no one was making any informed decisions from any of the public safety agency heads. The left hand did not know what the right hand was doing (dead serious on that). The creation of the EOC was supposed to cure that administrative nightmare by coordinating all that stuff, like it used to do in past years. This year was the worst ever (when compared to past storms).

    As one example (of many):
    1. A list of shelters was disseminated to the public online, on TV and on the radio.
    2. The order was eventually given for mandatory evacuation.
    3. Citizens evacuated their homes and started showing up to the shelters, some of which were not open (nobody was there).
    4. The sheep (citizens) did what they were told, but they were given bad information, which created chaos (on top of the storm).

    From a public safety perspective, this was the worst administrative storm ever because nobody was in charge (although on paper people are or were in charge). In reality, no one was making leadership decisions countywide. It was administrative chaos.

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by Unregistered View Post
    From a public safety perspective, this was the worst administrative storm ever because nobody was in charge (although on paper people are or were in charge). In reality, no one was making leadership decisions countywide. It was administrative chaos. During past storms, we did not have "confusion reigning," but we did this time. The left hand did not know what the right hand was doing (dead serious on that). The creation of the EOC was supposed to cure that administrative nightmare by coordinating all that stuff, like it used to do in past years.
    To the winds with reality!!!! The IMPORTANT thing is that the SSO Facebook pages looks good!!!!

    https://www.facebook.com/SarasotaCou...543380/?type=3

    Kudos to the personal effort.

  5. #5
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    Heard there was a complete failure in one of the shelters with special needs

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Unregistered View Post
    Heard there was a complete failure in one of the shelters with special needs
    Don't issue a mandatory evacuation order, ordering citizens to go to designated shelters, when the shelters are closed and locked (and volunteers/employees are not on-scene). The left hand didn't know what the right hand was doing. It was out-of-control. Worst ever. Why was there no command-and-control this year? Why was this year different?

  7. #7
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    Look at your 2nd floor

    Quote Originally Posted by Unregistered View Post
    Don't issue a mandatory evacuation order, ordering citizens to go to designated shelters, when the shelters are closed and locked (and volunteers/employees are not on-scene). The left hand didn't know what the right hand was doing. It was out-of-control. Worst ever. Why was there no command-and-control this year? Why was this year different?

    When you have people like Walsh, Jernigan and Tutko in charge of things this is what you get. They suck. Period.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Unregistered View Post
    The left hand didn't know what the right hand was doing. It was out-of-control. Worst ever. Why was there no command-and-control this year? Why was this year different?
    There was no leadership in Sarasota County during Hurricane Irma for several reasons, to include:

    • Tom Knight is crumbling. During the SNN TV hurricane interview, Knight publicly announced that CCW permit holders can bring their guns into school buildings that are used as "public access buildings-shelters" because "all laws apply." He opened up another illegal Pandora's box that allows CCW guns inside:
      - basketball games & wrestling matches in school gyms (public access)
      - PTA meetings in school buildings (public access)
      - football games in school stadiums (public access)
      - renting out school buildings on weekends (like for church services or whatever)

      If Knight does not make a public retraction, then all arrests of CCW permit holders will be thrown out of court because Knight gave them permission to bring their guns into "public access school events." Knight's public announcement is archived and it's another legal knightmare.

    • Kurt Hoffman is only good for a photo shoot showing him smiling. Other than showing his smiling face in a photo op, he's as useless as a "hog's hind teat" that produces no milk (that's the back teat, for those of you who don't know).

      Hoffman has already given Tom Knight bad legal information (click here to read about that fiasco), so Knight is now scared to let Hoffman off his leash. However, you can scroll through SSO Facebook to see over 10,000+ pics of Hoffman's smiling face. Love the smile, Kurt! Just remember that he's a hind teat.

    • Sarasota County administrator Tom Harmer is on his way out. His official departure date is a couple of months away and he will be starting his new job as the Longboat Key town manager. He's coasting until then.

      Also, due to a recent Florida Supreme Court decision, Sarasota County is now indebted 100 million of dollars to private hospitals who have been treating homeless people (long story there). That's on the heels of Sarasota County commissioners giving away 20 million free taxpayer dollars to Benderson's corporation (for park stuff) -- and now commissioners have a severe budget shortfall, so they want to implemented a new public safety tax (without a referendum) which will be the 11th highest in Florida. Harmer just wants out because he recognizes a political no-win when he sees one. The commissioners will be looking for a political scapegoat -- and it won't be Harmer!!!

  9. #9
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    Working people who actually got wet and were out in the storm had to stay in shelters. This is part of the job we all signed on for and we can take it. We were told to bring three days worth of food and water including uniforms, clothing, and bedding. No problem, we had that covered. Then I hear the EOC was catered with breakfast, lunch, and dinner from Mortons! Not once did anybody tell a road deputy to stop by and get some food or water.

    Three things, leadership, communication, and integrity were missing in this ordeal. I'm sure the second floor are patting each other on the back today telling themselves how great they are. The truth be told, we got lucky. I would hope they would learn from this and begin now on a better plan of action for the next time we get hit.

    We knew this was coming and not one single bottle of water was brought to any of the LEO shelters before the storm hit. If we can't get the basics right how would you expect to sustain operations for any length of time? It's simple, provide the troops with water, food, and shelter. They are the people who are out there taking the risks to help our citizens. Any military leader would tell you to put the troops before themselves. Not only does it show integrity but it commands respect.

    Thanks to all of the deputies who were out there in the hurricane. You earned more than overtime or a thank you e-mail from the Sheriff. I hope you and yours are well.

  10. #10
    Senior Member LEO Affairs Lieutenant
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    Aug 2017
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    Post Tom Harmer on hurricane shelters

    Tom Harmer is the Sarasota County administrator.

    Quote Originally Posted by “Tom Harmer”
    Last week we faced a hurricane. There have now been questions regarding the county’s process for opening shelters.

    Under Florida Statutes, county government is the local authority responsible for making decisions to protect our community.

    We can’t guarantee a shelter in every neighborhood, but we did open 13 shelters, with the School Board as our key sheltering partner.

    When the county opens shelters, we have plans in place to support the facilities with food, water and staffing.

    During and after any emergency, some you adjust to on-the-fly, while others…
    Full story:
    http://www.heraldtribune.com/opinion...elter-equation
    Journalism can never be silent: that is its greatest virtue and its greatest fault. It must speak, and speak immediately, while the echoes of wonder, the claims of triumph and the signs of horror are still in the air.

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