Chief's Corner: Bradenton Fire Department

As National Hurricane Preparedness Week ends and our community and surrounding counties continue to recover and rebound from three major hurricanes in 2024, the BFD wants to encourage you to be prepared for the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season starting June 1, 2025.

During storm peaks, fire services assistance may be limited due to prioritizing emergencies and safety. After the storm, rescue and recovery begin, as well as the extinguishing of storm-related fires.

Please keep your loved ones safe by utilizing the following preparedness tools:

• Know your area’s risk of hurricanes and consider your risk of experiencing impacts.
• Know your evacuation zone and evacuate immediately if ordered to do so.
• Review your insurance policy for hurricane-related hazard coverage. Standard policies do not cover flooding, so you may need to purchase additional policies.
• Sign up to receive emergency alerts and notifications from your local emergency management office (CodeRED) Learn what common alerts and warnings mean before you are impacted by a hurricane.
• Monitor weather reports and updates from the National Hurricane Center. Be on alert for heavy rain.
• Practice going to a safe shelter for high winds, such as a FEMA safe room, an International Code Council (ICC) 500 storm shelter, or a small, interior windowless room in a sturdy building. Ensure your safe shelter is on the lowest level and will not be affected by floodwater.
• Develop an emergency communication plan to contact family, friends, and neighbors during a hurricane. Plan to text or message because you may be unable to make or receive phone calls.
• Develop an evacuation plan based on your evacuation zone. Consider where you will evacuate and how you will get there.
• Practice your plan using your evacuation route. Gather enough food, water, and emergency supplies to last you several days. Note each person’s specific needs, including medication. Don’t forget the needs of pets.
• Keep important documents in a dry, safe place such as a fireproof and waterproof box, and create password-protected digital copies.
• Protect your property. Install hurricane shutters or reinforce windows. Declutter drains and gutters. Secure outdoor items and furniture or move them indoors.