Break for lunch

1:58:02all I want to say. And that's all we have, so we'll take a break for lunch.

1:58:07Thanks. Okay.

1:58:09Um we have a meeting? Are you meeting? Okay. I just have to run down and switch my core. They're gonna take my car.

1:59:03Storm drains are meant for cleaning.

1:59:08If you suspended the easement,

1:59:13eight three four three six one

1:59:15one

2:03:43Mm-hmm.

2:04:27Adam girl. Welcome to another episode of Aging on the Sun Coast. I'm your host, Jason Martino. So each and every year, hurricane season starts on June 1st and lasts through November 30th. While we prepare for all potential hazards, it's extremely important that we spend time preparing for both our county's biggest threat, a hurricane. Back in twenty seventeen, both Pinellas and Pasco dodged the massive bullet called Hurricane Irma. Then in 2018 our panhandle experienced the incredible force of Hurricane Michael. Long term recovery efforts

2:04:57are still occurring today. Because we've been fortunate, it doesn't mean we stop preparing. This is especially true for the senior population that resides in either Pasco or Pinellas counties. Today's focus is going to be on hurricane planning for independent and homebound seniors. To assist our viewers understand planning and reduce vulnerability, we've invited Jess McCracken, the whole community specialist with Pineals County Emergency Management, and Andy Fossa, the Director of the Pasco County Department of Emergency Management. Today our guests will

2:05:27help shed light on important senior preparedness information. Jess, welcome to Aging on the Sun Coast. Thank you for having me. Sure, and Andy, welcome to Aging on the Sun Coast as well. Thank you, sir. So let's talk hurricanes and preparedness. And before we really start talking about it, I I want to kind of throw it out there is that what we've seen as professionals in this field for for some time now is because we haven't been directly hit for close to over a hundred years or so that we see a little bit of complacency. And so we are always trying to mitigate that complacency and

2:05:57encourage people to do the right thing, which is prepare. Um the second thing that we've seen uh in the last probably three to five years is a a pretty big influx of people moving to our area from the northern states, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, all of them. And while they may prepare for some of the hazards that they live through during that time, Um they certainly haven't prepared yet for a hurricane season, so we want to also uh encourage them to do uh to do the right thing as well. So Jess, I'm gonna start with you. What's the first thing that people do when they're when they're getting

2:06:27into a mode that they they're trying to start their planning for for hurricane season?

2:06:32Well when preparing for hurricane season, we really want you to know your risk, make a plan, and stay informed. And knowing your risk means knowing your evacuation zone and understanding that mobile home communities will always be asked to evacuate in an evacuation order. And once you know your risk, then it's easier to go ahead and make that plan. And making your plan should include knowing where you're gonna go during an evacuation. having all of your supplies ready for your emergency kit and communicating all of that

2:07:02information with your family so they know where you are in an evacuation, especially in situations where communication's lost. And finally staying informed is very important on both sides, communicating with your family, but also having two trusted sources of information, whether it's media or websites, and taking advantage of those. To keep yourself informed during storm season.

2:07:25Absolutely. And we're going to go over a little bit later all those resources where they can get a hold of all that information on there. Andy, does it look any different in Pasco County?

2:07:32No, sir. The biggest thing that we look at is, as Jess said, two bits of information that are trustworthy. Another item is that complacency not only with the Floridians that are here now, but the Northerners that have come. down. they ha they get complacent because nothing has ever really happened. We get bits and pieces of storms that go by, but They think I can outride the storm and that is not true. Especially in the coastal areas, the mobile home communities.

2:08:02They need to be diligent on watching the weather and and the weather reports and go tens of miles. You don't have to evacuate hundreds of miles. Go somewhere with other family members. further in Lynn, but you don't have to clob the roads up trying to go from here to Georgia. Yeah. So keep it close.

2:08:19It's it's funny you said that because I made a massive mistake by going to Georgia during Irma. I took a little uh pressure from I'll just say a family member. Um that was a little nervous during that time and we ended up in uh whatever Georgia. And getting back was less than than fun. So

2:08:36uh

2:08:36You're exactly right. Staying uh close but safe is is definitely um a good goal. So uh Andy, we talked about those vulnerable communities. How do people in in Pasco County find out what evac level um they are?

2:08:48So we have the Pasco County Disaster Guide, which is online. Um it shows a a map of it. They also have the g ability to go to the mypasco uh dot net website. We have it there and then there's a public side of something called Pasco Mapper and they can go onto that website and it pulls up the maps and it'll actually show you your evacuation zone.

2:09:11You gotta love 21st century uh technology. It makes things just so much easier.

2:09:14Yes, sir, compared to the paper and pen days, yes.

2:09:17And Jess, uh what about Pinellas? Uh what are the different avenues people can uh take to uh find out their evacue?

2:09:22Uh very similar with Pasco. We have it in our hurricane guide. You can also go to our website to check your evacuation zone. And with the evacuation zone changes, it's very important that people do check their evacuation zones so they know what to incorporate into their plan. You can check storm.panellascounty.org and that gives you a side-by-side map and it'll show what your evacuation zone was before and what it's been changed to if it's been changed.

2:09:48That's really cool. That's really cool. The um certainly our show is uh geared towards um helping seniors, those with um disabilities and and caregivers um prepare. Um caregivers are taking care of a lot of our vulnerable seniors as well. And not all seniors um uh live in our community in a home or an apartment. A lot of our seniors in our in Pasco and Pinellas County, they live in an assisted living facility or they live in a skilled nursing facility. But Jessica, am I incorrect by saying that these types of institutions

2:10:19don't have plans and residents should know what those plans are?

2:10:23So these facilities are required by law to have an emergency plan including where the residents will go and how they will get there. So it's really important that those residents have those conversations and understand the plans, not only to manage their expectations during an emergency, but also to communicate that information to family members, especially again if we lose communications during a storm, then your family's gonna know where you are and that you're safe.

2:10:49Yeah. I'm glad you're beating the drum about communicating.

2:10:57Some of those family members can also probably talk to those institutions and find out what it is because maybe mom and dad uh may not be uh capable of understanding what those are. Same thing in um in Pasco County, Andy.

2:11:09Yes, sir. Uh one of the big things that they we also need to reiterate is if we move a family member from a nursing home into a special needs shelter and they have a specialized care that they need. They need to provide a caregiver for that citizen, that patient. Because when you're in that special need shelter, the staffing that is in there is will not be capable of taking care of every single citizen that's in there. So we we try to embed into these skilled facilities that if you're going to send somebody

2:11:39that needs a specialized care, a caregiver or a family member needs to be there with them.

2:11:45It's imperative. I I totally agree with you. So let's talk about options because um um uh the counties are uh are good enough to provide options for people. Um and certainly the options are staying home or going to a like a general population shelter or special needs, such as what Andy brought up. So if I were a uh uh a consumer, a resident of Pasco County, and I elected to stay home because I thought it was a good idea at the time, what are the things that I need to be thinking about in order to make my staying at home journey

2:12:15as as safe and comfortable as possible?

2:12:17So you you have to prepare. Um you have to prepare food for yourself, non-perishable foods, make sure you have enough water, um, your go kits, a very big thing is Go kits in case you do have to leave. It's imperative that you have your insurance papers, your medications, important documents. Another big thing is uh if you you're forced to evacuate, take pictures of your valuables. Insurance companies are getting really, really big on. Well, you said you had a 55-inch

2:12:47TV. I want to see a picture of it and have those documents. Documents with you. If you choose to stay home, make sure your house is boarded up, make sure you have everything in place, all anything that could be a flying missile is removed. And then if you're gonna stay, stay indoors. They got people have to remember when that storm passes through, you're gonna get a lull. And when that lull, that does not mean the storm is over, that means your pass the eye is passing over you. Still stay inside and then write out the Backside of the store.

2:13:16Yep, that's um that's good ideas. And uh also a good tip about um uh taking video or that. I I've walked around my house with my my smartphone and just taking a video of everything um rather than just the uh the pictures all the time. But you're absolutely right. Insurance is not going to help cover uh what they don't believe may not be there. So correct. Um anything different in Pinellas County, um Jess?

2:13:36Um I think you covered it pretty much, but uh to reiterate what With the insurance side of it, definitely um set yourself up for success. Yeah. So you can help that adjuster come claim time have all that information and and help you get recovered.

2:13:50Yeah. And I I guess I I'd just add that if um if you have the means to um hurricane proof mitigate your home, then that's certainly something that you should take a a look at, bracing those doors, especially the garage door. Um maybe in investing in some good impact resistant types of windows,

2:14:07uh

2:14:07hurricane straps for the roof and all that would make you feel a heck of a lot more comfortable in there because the uh entry points for some of those strong winds are in some of our oral housing stock in Pinellas and in Pasco County are are tremendous, you know. Uh Jess, let's talk about options that if somebody said, I don't feel safe staying home and I I'm deciding um that I'm going to go somewhere else, what are their options? What does that look like for them?

2:14:31So there's a few different options. You know, we will always open public shelters in a a storm when there's an actual evacuation order needed. But shelters should be uh last resort. Now we don't want you to not evacuate. We want you to stay safe. So if you have to go to a shelter, make those arrangements and plan for that. But the recommended option is to try to stay with a family member or a friend that lives in a non evacuation zone. Or you can look into hotels, motels, Airbnbs,

2:15:01again in a non-evacuation zone, but have two backup plans if you're gonna do something like that, make sure that they take pets if you're gonna have your your furry babies with you. And um know what those plants are during blue skies. Don't you know don't be making those arrangements when the storm's barreling down on us.

2:15:18Yep and and communicate, right?

2:15:20Right. And communicate.

2:15:21And thanks for bringing up the pets um because um we're gonna talk about that a little bit later. There's there's tons of options so that people can take a look at into preparing for their pets and And we have a wealth of seniors that have something that's furry or may have feathers or something of that nature that they're just as um um important as a is a family member on there. So Andy, what um Um if they are going to leave in your county, you're obviously offer some different options. Does it look the same as it does in Pinellas County?

2:15:48Pretty much so. Uh we still like to reiterate like like Jess said, that instead of going to a shelter, try to find a family member like the hotel or an Airbnb. Um because folks need to remember you're not walking into a hotel when you go into a shelter. Yeah. You're walking into a twenty by twenty space that's gonna hold your family and it's gonna be extremely crowded. So we prefer that you find families that are not in evacuation f zone, friends, whatever it may be. But if you have to go to the shelter, prepare,

2:16:18it's not a hotel. You're gonna be in some dismal conditions. I have to say it like that.

2:16:23Lifeboat versus cruise ship, right? Yeah. Yeah. So um Pasco County, as long as I've worked with you all, and in Pineals County we have, and you brought it up earlier, the term, special need shelter. What is a special need shelter?

2:16:36So a special need shelter is specifically designed for citizens that do not have the capability to take care of themselves. They're not hospitalized patients, but they're patients that are elderly that need certain types of care that might be oxygen-dependent. They might be electrical dependent. And that's the basic need for that shelter. It's not a place to bring somebody that needs a high acuity care because we do not have the ability to do that in there. That's why

2:17:06I said earlier that if you're going to bring somebody in specialized care, you need to bring either a caregiver or a family member to take care of them. But this is basically for people. people for disabilities, uh mental conditions, O two conditions, and electrical dependency. Right.

2:17:22Is there a process for negotiating if that's the most appropriate for them?

2:17:26Um yes when they'll spill when they fill their special needs form out there's a a bank of questions and once that comes into our EOC it's vetted by our special needs coordinator or RN that we we had as a volunteer at one time and they all make the determination if they're ha the have the ability to be housed there or they're gonna need to find another place to reside them.

2:17:46And that's super helpful um because that consumer may be filling out the uh questions On there, but maybe special needs is not the appropriate place for them. Maybe they need to go somewhere that can handle a higher acuity of care. Uh what does that look like in Pinellas County, Jess? Is it similar to uh Pasco?

2:18:00Uh very similar program. Uh I will say that if you are going to special needs shelter to bring that medical equipment, anything that you use on a daily basis to keep yourself safe and healthy, um, there are some supplies available there, but it's not gonna be enough for everybody. So again, set yourself up for success and and bring those things with you.

2:18:19A to-go kit, just like Andy had brought up before, making sure that you have um things you need at home and and that you um that you bring later. Medications is obviously super important. So before we end the first half of the show, we have a wealth of seniors that do live in the community in a home or apartment, and a lot of them receive help from home health care, coming in there to help them out with their activities of daily living. What should people know about the companies that provide that care for them?

2:18:47Well definitely ask the real questions and get a good understanding of what that continuity of care plan is gonna look like. And um it's recommended to ask for a copy of their plan to compare it to your personal plan. That way there's no surprises, you know that you're on the same page and everybody knows what to expect.

2:19:05That's such good information. Um because we deal with a wealth of people that live in all sorts of different environments. Thanks so much for coming. on the show and uh we'll have you back for the the second half of that. Please stay with us while we take a short break. As usual, don't forget to have a pen or pencil ready. During the break and at the end of our show, we'll be highlighting important information covering both Pasco and Pinellas County's disaster preparation resources. When we come back, we'll explore more senior preparedness ideas.

2:19:55Many of us don't want to believe that elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation can happen to a family member, a friend, or even ourselves. Elder abuse is a growing problem and is severely underreported. Many victims are reluctant to report due to fear, embarrassment, shame, or guilt. In order to prevent elder abuse, we must take action. Don't be afraid to talk about the issue and report it to the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873. Together, we can make a difference.

2:20:27Welcome back to Aging on the Sun Coast. During the first half of the show, Jess McCracken and Andy Fossa helped us understand senior disaster preparation and sheltering options. So let's continue this conversation and talk about other simple ways we can prepare. Jess, Andy, welcome back to the show.

2:20:42Thank you.

2:20:43You all provided such good information on the first half of the show and we're going to continue that and we're going to probably talk about a little um some of the little microcosms that people um are faced with when it comes to planning and all that. So Andy, I'm gonna I'm gonna start with you. Um medications is um inevitable in our senior population. Many of our seniors are taking on average between four and five medications to combat whatever is ailing them at that time. Um how do seniors um and or individuals with disabilities or caregivers uh plan for

2:21:13uh the need for medications during times of a hurricane.

2:21:17So it's always as we preach it's always good that be prepared. So with medications, um you have your normal daily 30-day supply, 90-day supply, whatever it may be. However, when we're being threatened by a storm, uh the federal government, back with Katrina, went ahead and enacted a new law that gives pharmacies the ability to give you a 30-day emergency supply of the medication. So it's best to get with your doctor, it's best to get with your pharmacy and go ahead and prepare

2:21:47for that. Um they're not going to give it to you under a blue sky day, normal day, but if we have an imminent storm coming in, the pharmacies will fulfill that obligation.

2:21:57Yeah, you're totally right. And um uh pharmaceu we found that pharmacists are a good resource. Um even in the blue skies because somebody can go there and they can get a running list of what they have. I couldn't remember all the different meds I was taking if I was taking six or seven, uh nor the intervals I was taking it. Does it look any different in Pineales County, Jess?

2:22:14Uh nope, it's it's pretty much the same, but um take into consideration any medications that need to be refrigerated. Good point. Um that that's a very big thing that you would need to plan for. Um so generate. or uh ice packs, something like that.

2:22:27Yep, and part of your your to go kit or uh your stay at home kit, making sure that you have a way to refrigerate or keep that refrigeration on there as well. Excellent point. Jess, let's stay with you and let's talk about what we kind of brought up uh very lightly during the first half of the show. We talked about pets. Many of our seniors out there they have um pets with scales, pets with hair, pets with feathers. And um these pets are seen just like children or are grandchildren. Matter of fact we've seen some cases where if they're if they didn't think there was arrangements for their pets, they were going to stay home and

2:22:58that wasn't the best case scenario for 'em. So what does pet preparation look like in Pinellas County?

2:23:03Um like you said, pets are part of our family, so preparing for your pets very similar to preparing for yourself. You want to know where they're going to be going if they're not going to be staying with you. Preparing their go kit, so their crate, collar, leash, medications, food, and a comfort item, especially if you're going to be going to one of our pet-friendly shelters. Registration isn't required for the pet-friendly shelters, but be prepared to care for your pet. They're not going to be in the same area with you, but you will need to. to walk them,

2:23:33feed them, um, and animal services is on hand at the pet friendly shelters to keep all the common areas clean. So that is an option for you.

2:23:42Yeah, I and I think that's uh very tangential to um what Annie was saying is that while the county is providing a great amount of resources, we can't meet all the needs of the consumers or the residents, excuse me. have to do um uh their part by helping to take care of it. Does it look the same in in Pasco County as well, Annie?

2:23:59Yep, it sure does. Um the only thing that we require and and and Jeff pretty much covered everything was that they have to bring their vaccination records with them. Um in order to get in the shelter. If you bring an animal to the shelter um they have to have their vaccinations or the shelter has the choice of not to take them. Yeah,

2:24:16but no registration No no pre

2:24:23All right, so um you guys uh in addition to providing the op um the uh options for where people can shelter and encouraging them to do the right things, um you have so many logistics going on as well. And one of the things that's probably maddening is the development of your hurricane guide. But once it's out there, it's such a good guide. I've seen it a thousand different times. I use it. I put it in our uh many of our consumers' hands as well. Um Andy, where can people find these hurricane guides in Pasco County?

2:24:50So they can find them a couple of places. Uh one, mypasco.net uh website. We have it on there on the emergency management page. And we also have guides at emergency management and we distribute them to uh the the elderly population, especially the high hazard vulnerability zone, um, we actually mail them to each resident out there. Get out of here. Uh no, sir. We act we actually do that. Our guide is a little bit different um than the the standard guide. We kind of broke away from the Tampa Bay Region Planning Council

2:25:21and we did our own thing. So ours doesn't only care uh encompass hurricanes, severe weather, tornadoes, S uh sinkholes, um all flooding all those items and then we have a very um robust uh phone number uh listings to for different departments and able to make contact with them.

2:25:39Yep, and I remember how quick you guys were had to update it when the uh pandemic was uh um in full swing. Still here, but not in the full swing it was before. Yes sir. You're you uh you come out with guides as well, if I remember correctly, that you uh you do your own specific Pinellas County Guide. Where do folks um find the Pinellas County Guide?

2:25:57We have electronic copies in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese on our website and also ADA compliant in all three languages, which is a huge resource. You can pick them up if you need five or more copies. We have two distribution centers, Lelman Exchange, which is in Pinellas Park, and the Center, which is in Palm Harbor. And then we have some in government buildings and town halls. And again, we delivered some to schools to uh hopefully those kiddos took them home and got them in the parents' hands.

2:26:26That that's such a cool initiative. Um we did that in

2:26:29the middle of the day.

2:26:29as well. We found that sometimes um um as professionals that the people we were targeting weren't really listening to us so much. But if you put it in Johnny or Susie's hand and they were to explain the same information that grandmom and grandpa generally would listen to what they said over there. I always thought that was a a pretty cool initiative. Well, we're talking about initiatives. Um you guys are no strangers to um living and learning, finding out what um worked in the past and different ways to go forward and um and then be at the head

2:26:59of the curve really. So Jess, um let's talk about some of the initiatives that Pinealis County has that benefits the residents that live here.

2:27:07Uh we have the Sheriff's Office Barrier Island Reentry Program, which is for the folks that work and live on the Barrier Islands. Um you're not allowed access back after uh an evacuation, so they're gonna want that re-entry badge or pass. And you can get that at uh the Sheriff's Office and some town halls. We've got a storm surge app. You can access that through our website and it actually will show you in uh real time your address and what the storm surge

2:27:37will look like. It's a it's a very cool app.

2:27:40Yep, I've I've used that app many, many times. And um and I uh actually I redid it when um when the evacu levels had changed just to kind of make sure. But it it's a pretty cool interactive uh app to kind of to show you that in this kind of situation over here, your you know your house could be inundated, it could not, in that sense. Um Uh alert panels too, right?

2:27:59We have just launched our new Alert Penellis app and it's in real time. It'll show you the evacuation zone of where you're actually at at that time. Or you can look up evacuation zones by address. It also has the know your risk, make a plan, uh stay informed, special needs information, and it has blue skies and gray skies messaging, so when we get to that point, uh we can switch the messaging over. One thing that's really neat about it is there is an insurance section where you can actually log all the items

2:28:29in your home, take pictures, and keep that inventory so it's all right there, which I think is a really neat tool.

2:28:35Yeah, it really is. And um and if you're watching, um we're gonna have tons of information um during the break and at the end of the show. That will uh help you uh get in touch with some of these initiatives in Pinellas County. Pasco County is is no stranger to thinking forward and and moving on initiatives. What's Pasco County doing?

2:28:51So we have the Alert Pasco app that's still up and running. Uh we've updated it and it'll give uh real-time information on when we're in gray skies, when we're uh on rent activation, also our social media. Another big thing that We have done now is uh Weather STEM stations. Uh we have one in in partnership with the state, and we have probably up to 27 Weather STEM stations now, and they're free to the public. They can go on the Pasco County website and they can get real-time live data

2:29:21of the weather conditions that are in their neighborhood or area. That's really cool. Another thing as as Jess had said, the reentry program. So we've been working Working in conjunction with our stakeholders. And we found out that after a storm has passed, people need to get supplies and food. So we're worked with public supermarkets on working with a re-entry program with them so they can get their employees and key staff in to get those stores up and running and get them their doors open and hopefully start serving the public again. And then

2:29:51some of our social our social media sites.

2:30:05Yeah, and I I think people want to get back to some normalcy as well. So trying to work with um some of your stakeholders and so they can get back as quick as possible. You also uh I've been on your website numerous times. Um you also have Videos on your website too.

2:30:18Yes, we have a serial video vignettes. They range anywhere from a message from myself to how to do sandbags, how to make a go-kit, how to make a pet go kit. So we have all of that on there on the Pasco website as well.

2:30:31Super helpful. Super helpful.

2:30:38Everybody has a smartphone in their hand. Some know how to use it. What types of apps and different types of helpful resources can people find on their on their smartphones for the

2:30:48So there there's a numerous ones. There's the Alert Pasco app, um that's the biggest one. Um another uh I would watch weather ones, uh especially Hurevac, not Hurovac. Um there's weather related ones for storm predictions and items like that. I would pay attention to those. And I I I I Don't be dependent on one app because one app is gonna give you one thing, another app is gonna give you another thing. Use multiple app and and gain a census out of that. Study those so you can get a real time idea of what's going on. And then

2:31:18of course our social media, Facebook app, you know, Instagram and I'm gonna say TikTok. TikTok that's up and coming. We actually see a lot of things now being posted by governmental agencies that or using TikTok to put their messaging out.

2:31:31I think they have to. The world's gone in that direction over there too. Jess, what uh what about um smartphones in uh in Pinellas County?

2:31:37Um obviously the Ready Pinellas but same channels, Facebook, uh Twitter, also Nextdoor is a a really helpful app to use.

2:31:46Yep, but you know I saw uh lots of information um especially during the uh pandemic on uh nextdoor. I always use next door just to find things that I'd like to purchase, golf clubs, absolutely. But I saw a lot of uh um public information officer information going through that, and I guarantee you it got to right to the households, just like you're sending these guides to to people's houses. Jess, Andy, thank you so much for coming on our show. We cover so much information and all All very valuable information. Residents in Pasco and Pineales County are they're really lucky to have you guys helping them prepare for these days

2:32:16there.

2:32:17Well thank you very much. I enjoyed myself this t this morning. Good.

2:32:21We hope you learned a great deal from this month's broadcast. We also hope this episode helped you take this hurricane season as serious as you should. At the end of the show we'll repost some valuable resources available to you. We'll see you next month, and until then, please stay safe and utilize all the resources these two emergency management offices have offered you.

2:32:57Many of us don't want to believe that elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation can happen to a family member, a friend, or even ourselves. Elder abuse is a growing problem and is severely underreported. Many victims are reluctant to report due to fear, embarrassment, shame, or guilt. In order to prevent elder abuse, we must take action. Don't be afraid to talk about the issue and report it to the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873. Together, we can make a difference.

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2:36:37Terry, do you know what synergy is? Stop! I'll tell you. Owned by Florida Sports Coast, this facility came together with private and public partnerships, including a private land donation that this community project now sits on.

2:36:55This 98,000 square foot sports campus can also be transformed into an expansive meeting convention event space with two 34,000 square foot separate spaces. There's even an on-site residence inn by Marriott with a rooftop bar for an excellent view of the surrounding area. Pasco's award-winning Workforce Connect platform allows employers to find programs that produce talent that will thrive in their industries and explore resources that will help their business stand out to top candidates, as

2:37:25well as allow job seekers to discover and explore various career pathways in a diverse economy of fast-growing industries.

2:37:36Oh, Terry, I said top candidates.

2:37:45Pasco County has a long history of specialized production. From the early years of pioneering technological advancements in Florida's citrus industry to our revolutionary breakthroughs in advanced sensor-based manufacturing methods for global brands like Mettler Toledo and Touchpoint Medical, Pasco is positioned for long-term growth with access to the second largest manufacturing workforce in Florida that is high-scale. Skilled, forward thinking, and growing like crazy, Pasco is ready for the future. Harry,

2:38:15don't touch that!

2:38:19Florida's Sports Coast is the perfect destination for the active individual. Hit the trails by bike or foot and explore the hundreds of miles of paved and unpaved trails the destination has to offer. Oh excuse me, Terry. Oh. Thank you.

2:38:34Wait, that's my bike.

2:38:38Wait.

2:38:39Wait, wait, wait,

2:38:39wait.

2:38:41Pasco County is experiencing an unprecedented growth with over 19,000 acres of master plan developments in the works to create the ultimate live, work, and play communities. Speaking of live and work, Pasco is one of the top places in Florida to work from home. No! Wait! Wait! Do you like an adventure? What about an adventure on the water? We are a coastal community with plenty of hidden gems just waiting to be explored. Pedal

2:39:11faster, Terry!

2:39:15With plenty of charming downtowns, there are many options for business, visitors, and residents alike. Being close to waterways lends itself to an improved quality of life with plenty of opportunities to adventure. Florida's sports coast has places to work. Play and everything in between. From the extreme to leisurely, we have the talent, space, and a desirable quality of life for you to start, move, or grow your business. So now that you've gotten just a glimpse of how we

2:39:45work, how we play, how we live, I only have one question for you. What are you waiting for? Cheers.

2:40:17Are you one of the nearly 50,000 veterans who live, work, and play in Pasco County? Our team at Pasco County Veterans Services is here to help you and your family, making sure you receive the benefits you deserve, from filing compensation and pension claims to crisis and aid and assistance. We're here to serve you.

2:40:35So all of the Veterans Service officers here in Pasco County are retired from the military. We all come from different backgrounds, different branches of the military, but we all bring forth the experience and our expertise just through things that we have gained from our own personal military service.

2:40:55You should come in and talk to a veteran service officer if you're trying to put together any type of claim that involves the VA.

2:41:03I just think the team is great. Here, very uh caring, that's for sure. And um they put their all to help you. You get total. attention problem when you do come in, which is awesome.

2:41:26So I have had veterans that that came in with five dollars in their bank account and once their claims get approved now they're getting a monthly tax-free benefit of over $3,000 a month. That's

2:41:38Sometimes we can do it over the phone, we can do it over video, but it's m it it feels more personable when you're sitting there across from someone who probably lived the same life you lived and they there is more under it's more understanding to your needs and your wants.

2:41:52Give them a call, find out uh if you can come in, have your documents with you, ready to go, and they'll they'll help you.

2:43:18Do you like having fun and staying fit?

2:43:25Do you like to be creative?

2:43:32Do you like being part of your community?

2:43:39Do you like a little friendly competition?

2:43:47Do you like hanging out with friends?

2:43:51If you're saying yes, then come join us here at Pasco County Senior Services. We have locations across the county for you to get out and enjoy great company every weekday.

2:44:01And that's not all. Do you like good food?

2:44:04We have free lunch every weekday for those 60 and older. Just come in and sign up. If you like what you see, come visit us at Senior Services.

2:44:12We can't wait to see you!

2:44:22Hi, I'm Angelo Lorenzo, Regional Manager at the New River Library. We're putting on the final touches at your favorite branch. There are lots of changes inside and out, starting with the parking. As you know, we've moved the entrance drive to the east side of the building, and on your way to the parking lot, you pass a book return kiosk, under cover from the elements, to keep you nice and dry when you're just dropping off a book. We've added new landscaping to the

2:44:52entrance and a bright new sign to keep you informed of events and happenings at the library at a glance. Inside, the flooring is complete, along with the ceilings and lighting. An expansive new front desk is the hub of the library, with friendly staff ready to assist you quickly and efficiently. The furniture, shelves, and fixtures are in place, and we're preparing to deliver the books to the branch soon. The Discovery Gardens at New River are the

2:45:22gem of the library. We'll have a variety of display gardens, sensory features, and of course, garden beds for your use. We've also installed a covered area for holding seminars and demonstrations. We know you're anxious to enjoy the remodeled New River Library, and we're eager to show it off. Follow our social media pages and PascoLibraries.org for updates and for the opening date. Thank you.

2:45:59Hey, I'm Kevin Jenkins, Water Quality Supervisor for Pasco County. What you see behind me tends to create a lot of questions for our department. People ask all the time, why are you wasting all that water or why is that thing still running? The answer is simple. We're not.

2:46:20What you see happening right here is a state-regulated process called water quality flushing. It happens every day to keep your drinking water safe. Our team is responsible for checking more than 122,000 connections all over Pasco County. As you can imagine, it's a daunting task, but it's work we do proudly and take seriously. We service both residential and commercial connections and flush water management. Periodically for preventative maintenance. It helps get rid of impurities, sediment, and biologic growth.

2:46:51This work can be done by a team member or by an automatic flushing device known as an A of D. AFDs can flush pipes remotely. So there you have it and now you know. That's our flushing process in a nutshell. Pasco County works hard to maintain the best water quality. This is just one way we get to that point. To learn more about this and other Pasco County utilities information, please visit our website at mypasco.net.

2:47:33Welcome to Pasco County, the fastest growing county in the Tampa Bay area. The PASCO Board of County Commissioners is a high-performing organization with 2,700 employees representing 57 lines of business, serving nearly 600,000 people over 740 square miles, and we're always looking for talented people to join our team. This is your opportunity to help make your community a better place to live, work, and play. If you're ready to be part of Of a great success story,

2:48:04consider a career with Pasco County government, recently recognized as a top workplace for 2021. Opportunities include careers in utilities, public works, traffic operations, solid waste, animal services, public transportation, information technology, libraries, parks, human services, recreation and natural resources, administration, senior services. Fire rescue. Nine

2:48:34one one. Fleet. Building construction services, code enforcement, planning, environmental science, and so much more. Plus our benefits package is tough to beat. We offer employee wellness centers. Health, vision, and dental benefits? Paid holidays and tuition reimbursement, just to name a few. We are local government reimagined. We're progressive. Innovative and in many

2:49:04areas Pasco County is leading the way. Want to learn more about what we do and how you can be part of it? Visit mypasco.net and click on Job and Volunteer Opportunities. Our team is more than 2700 strong. Your neighbors, friends, and even family members.

2:49:30Come join Pasco County and make a difference every day.

2:49:47Hi, I'm Ainsley with Pasco County Pavement Management. People always ask why can't you pave roads faster? Well, the process isn't as simple as it seems. We use two methods, which you can see here. They're called milling and paving and full-depth reclamation and sol cement. What does that mean exactly? Let's break them down.

2:50:1290% of our paving projects are done through milling and paving, which takes about two weeks depending on weather and the length of the road. We start by grinding and removing 2 to 3 inches of the road, then we sweep the road to remove fines. Fines are small particles of asphalt or lime rock. Next, we spray tack, which is a mixture of oil and water, onto the road surface to make sure that the asphalt bonds to the road surface. Then we apply

2:50:42a layer or two of asphalt. Ever notice steam rising from the asphalt? That's because it's trucked to the work site at a whopping 325 degrees or hotter. Next, we drive a steam roller over the asphalt to make sure the surface is flat and smooth. And that's it. Now let's look at the second paving process Pasco uses, which usually takes a bit longer.

2:51:11Our geotechnician team drills into the roadway at the job site and takes samples to a lab to help us determine what mix to use. Then we create a mix to use on the road from materials we salvage from the pre-existing road. A machine grinds 10 inches into the road base, feeding all that material into a giant mixing machine where it mixes with other ingredients before being Spread onto the road. The surface has to be set for a few days, and then our team returns to the site to

2:51:41test the road's strength. If it gets two thumbs up, we grind two inches off the base, sweep the fines, and add the tack and lay the asphalt. So those are the two ways Pasco works to make your commute a whole lot smoother. Public works inspectors are on every job site. To make sure there are no bumps in the roads, so to speak. We follow tough guidelines and high standards to keep our roads drivable for years to come. To learn more about Pasco County's paving process, please

2:52:12visit mypascode.net and thank you for watching.

2:52:20Pasco County waterways and wildlife depend on you to keep them healthy. Excess fertilizer, grass clippings, trash, oils, and pet waste wash into gutters and storm drains when it rains. Storm water carries these pollutants directly into our lakes and rivers, creating an unhealthy environment for fish, waterfowl, and other aquatic animals. Storm drains are meant for clean rainwater. Most other discharges are illegal. If you suspect an illicit discharge, please contact Pasco County Department of Public Works at seven two seven eight three four three six one one. Roughly

2:52:51ninety thousand dogs in Pasco County create more than five tons of waste every year. When left on the ground, stormwater carries bacteria and nutrients from pet waste into waterways, causing algae blooms and unhealthy conditions for fish and other aquatic creatures. Polluted waters are also unsafe for swimming and recreation. Please do your part to keep Florida waters clean by disposing of your pets waste in the trash. For more information, contact Pasco County Department of Public Works at seven two seven eight three four three six one one. Mm.

2:53:21Hello, I'm Catherine Seavy, Branch Manager at the Centennial Park Library. We're putting the finishing touches on at your favorite branch. There are lots of changes inside and out, starting in the parking lot. It's been repaved and new sidewalks and landscaping have been installed. We've also added a bright new sign to keep you informed of events and happenings at the library at a glance. There's a covered entrance now to help you keep dry and in the shade. Inside, the flooring

2:53:51is complete along with the ceilings and lighting. An expansive new front desk is the hub of the library, with friendly staff ready to assist you quickly and efficiently. The furniture, shelves, and fixtures are in place and we're preparing to deliver the books to the branch soon.

2:54:09The Loft is the new makerspace devoted to studio arts such as painting and arts and crafts. There is plenty of room to conduct classes in the makerspace or to explore your artistic side on your own. We know you're anxious to enjoy the remodeled Centennial Park Library and we're eager to show it off. Follow our social media pages and PascoLibraries.org for updates and the opening dates. Thank you.

2:54:44Hello, I'm Cindy of Pawts Village Rescue.

2:54:47I'm Linda of Purr Rescue and a volunteer here at Pasco County Animal Services.

2:54:51My name is

2:54:52Dr. Christine Glenn at PCAS.

2:54:54We're here to talk with you today about the number of cats coming into Pasco County Animal Services.

2:54:59You've probably seen loose or stray cats in your neighborhood. Did you know Pasco County does not have leash lodge for cats? That means cats can roam free in our county.

2:55:08And that's why Animal Services doesn't pick up or accept stray cats in the Land O' Lakes shelter. In fact, some of our neighbors enjoy allowing their cats to explore their community, knowing that they won't be picked up and sent to the shelter.

2:55:22The average shelter return to owner rate for cats is less than 2%. That means if you bring a community cat to our shelter, it's not likely they'll end up being returned to their caregivers. Cats in our communities often have one or more caregivers and they usually hang out in their home area. The best thing to do for these cats is to leave them be. Share that message and you too can help battle pet overpopulation.

2:55:46Pasco Animal Services sees a staggering number of kittens from March through November. More than a thousand kittens under eight weeks old in 2018 alone. It's human nature to want to help when you find a litter of these fragile felines. But in most cases, they really don't need our help. The mama cat often leaves her babies for a bit to go find food. Again, the best thing you can do is leave them be. In fact, these kittens have a much

2:56:16better chance of survival if we leave them for mom to take care of. Kittens eight weeks or younger can't stay in a shelter. They're simply not strong enough to fight off common diseases or viruses that older vaccinated cats are able to handle. By leaving them be, you're actually

2:56:36helping save their lives. If you're concerned the kittens have really been orphaned, meaning they haven't been moved or you're sure mom hasn't been back in at least eight consecutive hours. Hours. Then you can step in and care for the kittens. Animal Services offers resources on our website about kitten fostering, spam neuter services, trap rentals, and vaccinations. Whether you have a single community cat or a bunch of kitties, we encourage you to contact us at 813-929-1212

2:57:07for more information on our SNP Trap Neuter Vaccination. release program. This means healthier and fewer community cats in your neighborhood. Healthier because we can prevent diseases like rabies. And fewer because all of the cats that we treat are also spayed and neutered. Cats are eligible for the program at eight weeks old.

2:57:26Pasco Animal Services understands community cats can be an issue for some neighborhoods, and we encourage you to reach out to us. We'd love to come visit your community group.

2:57:35Our team members are available for meetings and presentations. You can book an appearance right on our website. Popular topics are solutions between neighbors, feeding stations, and humane deterrence for keeping cats off of certain properties.

2:57:48Pasco County is a strong and growing community, and through our combined efforts, we can help save lives with three simple words. Leave them be.

3:01:12Okay.

3:03:01Mm-hmm.

3:10:16Hi, I'm Bob Harrison with Pasco County Libraries. Today I'm sharing my morning blend book club recommendations. My first book takes us to Scotland for a tense murder mystery. It's A Season to Kill by debut author Nick Winter. When lawyer Darcy Sinclair finds the body of local socialite Ellie Bradshaw, it quickly becomes more than just a gruesome scene. Childhood trauma bubbles to the surface as the body count rises, town secrets are exposed, and grudges are uncovered.

3:10:47The characters are unforgettable, and as the book rushes toward its violent climax, it's clear to Darcy that a malignant killer results. resides within her inner circle. If she doesn't uncover the truth in time, Darcy might lose everything. My next book is All the Beautiful Lies by Peter Swanson. This is a clever tale of obsession, revenge, and murder. Harry Ackerson has always considered his stepmother, Alice, to be beautiful, if a little aloof. Days before his

3:11:17college graduation, Alice calls with shocking news. His father is dead, and the police think it's suicide. Devastated, Harry returns to his father's home. In Maine. Shortly after he arrives, Harry meets a mysterious young woman named Grace. She claims to be new to the area, but Harry suspects she may not be a complete stranger to his family. Harry finds himself falling deeper under both their spells. Yet the closer he gets, the more disoriented he becomes, fearing they are hiding dangerous, even

3:11:47deadly, secrets. My last book is perfect for. Middle-grade readers. It's Scritch Scratch by Lindsay Curry. Claire has absolutely no interest in the paranormal. She's a scientist, which is why she can't think of anything worse than having to help her dad on one of his ghost-themed Chicago bus tours. She thinks she's made it through when she sees a boy with a sad face and dark eyes at the back of the bus. There's something off about his presence, especially when she checks at the end of the tour he's

3:12:17gone. Now she's being haunted. The boy from the bus wants something, and Claire needs to find out what before it's too late. Thank you and happy reading.

3:12:30You can read a story You can go for a walk. So why not combine both? Welcome to our story walk. Here at J.B. Starkey Wilderness Park, we have installed a new story in our story walk. Check out this new seasonal themed title, The Very Last Leaf, by Steph Wade and illustrated by Jennifer Davison, where you'll learn about Lance, the Cottonwood Leaf, and how he must face his

3:13:00fear of falling with the change of the seasons. The story walk consists of 18 Reading stations positioned along a 0.2 mile loop. Along the way, you'll also learn some fun facts about the changing colors of leaves. The outdoor reading experience allows children, families, and people of all ages to read a story while walking along a nature trail. Head to the back left trail of the playground area, follow the purple trailblazes, and you'll be on your way. A special thank

3:13:30you to all who partnered with libraries to make this project possible. Pasco County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources, the Friends of the Pasco County Library System, and AmeriCorps.

3:14:34I mean, they've helped me keep my home. Uh raising my two grandboys. Uh if it wasn't for them I wouldn't uh I don't know where we would be.

3:14:43Purpose of human services is to see how we can best meet the needs of the Pasco County citizens. There are various needs, um housing, food, medical needs, various things. Mental health. At both offices we have four core programs. One is the e Heap program. Which is the Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program. And we help with Pas due electric bills for that. In addition, we have something called the Cremation Burial Service. We can help indigent families in Pasco County bury their

3:15:13loved ones if they are not able to afford cremation and burial. We have a program called HICRA. So if someone from Pasco County has emergency services provided to them outside of the county, we can help assist them in paying for those bills. We also have something called a roundup. So we could pass pay help pay for past due um water bills.

3:15:33to come here when they have the funding, they will do everything in their power to help you. If we don't have

3:15:39the funding or the ability to help them, we try to cre connect them with agencies around the county that can help them with um whatever they need.

3:15:48But we're a group of ten, very friendly, helpful, willing to support our citizens as best we can. We're very resourceful. So if you want to reach You can go to mypasco.net. You can also call the offices or stop in. We're happy to help.

3:16:02We want you to come and you know see us.

3:16:27They serve, as I did, to fight for our freedoms. We here at GoPasco want to return the favor by serving you. GoPasco offers all active duty military and veterans unlimited free rides on our fixed-route buses. When you step on the bus, just show the driver one of these forms. Military ID card, DD Form 2, Valid VA card, V on your driver's license, or GoPasco Veteran ID. Go Pasco, where veterans ride free.

3:17:22We provide a place to seek support and services.

3:17:30We provide you a way to keep going.

3:17:38We provide affordable housing opportunities and create community partnerships.

3:17:51We provide a place to play and preserve precious resources.

3:18:01We provide you a place to learn and create.

3:18:09We provide you a place to rescue and care for your furry friends.

3:18:20We provide a place for you to flourish and to grow.

3:18:30We provide your destination. So invite on your next adventure. We believe it's essential to give the best resources to you, your family, and our community. We are humble and proud to serve you. We are Pasco County Public Services.

3:19:06That the community is pitching in helping their neighbors.

3:19:09It means everything to our neighborhood.

3:19:11And it's a it's a good effort on behalf of not just the community but it's also the county working together.

3:19:16The dumpsters, the county employees, the recognition that we are coming together as a community.

3:19:23Very important to get out in the community and do do these kinds of things.

3:19:26To take pride in our neighborhood means a lot. So is it cool to see all this stuff getting cleaned up?

3:19:32Yeah.

3:19:33Well

3:19:52Today we're celebrating the transition of Pasco County Public Transportation to a new, more modern name, Go Pasco.

3:20:06It's it's time for a change. It's uh so much brighter, so much better colors. Uh the buses look a lot better. It's

3:20:13goodbye, PCPT. It was always hard time to remember those initials and to have GoPasco is gonna be amazing for our citizens to remember, even for us to remember.

3:20:23We've been PCPT for 25 years. Go Pasco envisions exactly what we mean. We're here. in Pasco to go where you need us to go.

3:20:33I think we're looking forward to to the future. Showing that we have a lot of pride in our community. We get to the Yeah people actually liking that a lot. And they said they just like the modernization is a lot better.

3:20:44It makes us more reliable. Go Pasco Tells you who we serve. We serve Pasco. With PCT, it was tough to determine that. So that's why we went to this new new name and new brand. Again, vibrant colors help us get that message across.

3:21:00Thank you to the team for putting this all together. This has been a 20-something years we've been PCPT. Goodbye and see ya on Go Pasco.

3:21:23Here in Florida, we're no stranger to rain, and Pasco County Public Works wants to show you how we're working to improve drainage along your roads. Our crews work hard to keep your roads in great shape, and you'll notice after a heavy rain, we often see ponding or standing water on the road that doesn't easily drain away. Ponding can be a problem for a couple reasons. Most importantly, it can be a safety issue because when you drive through standing water, you can start to hydroplane

3:21:54and lose control.

3:21:57So why does ponding happen? In most cases, it's because the shoulder doesn't slope away from the road, so the water doesn't have anywhere else to go. Pasco crews are always on the lookout for these problem areas and have a relatively easy way to fix them. Most Pasco roads that have water ponding problems have a sod curb where the grass grows right up next to the road. Our crews use this machine, called a grater, to shave off about three feet of sod running along the road. This creates a slope,

3:22:27allowing water to run away from the road. Our crews also use a loader to scoop debris. and a sweeper to clean the work site. Then finishing touches are added, like new sod or stone to prevent the fresh soil from washing away. And just like that. Ponding is gone and your roads are protected. This easy, cost-effective fix doesn't alter the rights of way or affect your property in any way. Thanks for watching and please visit mypasco.net

3:22:59to learn more about how Pasco is working for you.