April 12, 2006 - Emergency Management Officials Available for Hurricane Preparedness Speaking Engagements

As the beginning of hurricane season quickly approaches, St. Lucie County Emergency Management officials are available for public speaking engagements on hurricane preparedness. Whether to a civic organization, homeowners' association or school group, Emergency Management officials give presentations year round about hurricane awareness, nuclear power plant safety, marine safety and other emergency issues. To schedule a presentation or speaking engagement with St. Lucie County Emergency Management officials, call (772) 461-5201.

Additionally, staff members at the St. Lucie County Cooperative Extension stand ready to educate citizens about hurricane resistant construction through programs offered at the County's Hurricane House. The 3,000-square-foot house located next to the St. Lucie County extension office in Fort Pierce - officially known as the Windstorm Damage Mitigation, Training and Demonstration Center - shows residents how existing homes can be made more hurricane-resistant. Materials, products and construction methods, which meet or exceed new state building codes, can be used in new homes or to retrofit existing structures. Homeowners and builders can visit the "Hurricane House" to see three types of window shutters and other features, such as impact-resistant doors, a steel safe room and a garage door that will withstand winds of more than 150 mph. Visitors can also see exposed sections of interior walls that show alternative construction methods, such as insulated concrete forms, to build stronger and more energy-efficient homes. For additional information or to schedule a tour of the Hurricane House, contact Karla Lenfesty at (772) 462-1660.