What to Do After a Disaster

Oviedo Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan

The City of Oviedo Fire Rescue Emergency Management and all City Departments are actively engaged throughout the entire community in conducting a city wide survey for immediate Life Threatening Hazards following a disaster. The City of Oviedo Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan specifies a method of surveying the entire Oviedo community utilizing a grid system and allocating emergency services and public works teams into each grid. 

Phases

Life Threatening City Wide Survey

Immediate Life Threatening Hazards are addressed during this phase. Depending on the magnitude of the disaster, this process can take several hours or up to 24 hours.

Recovery Operations

After completion of the Life Threatening City Wide Survey, the disaster management operations move towards Recovery Operations which include debris removal from the major roadways and other city streets, restoration of utility service including (but not limited to) water, sewage, telephone, cable, gas, electric, etc). 

Restoration Phase

The Restoration Phase is also contingent upon many private utility providers and the resources they allocate to the area. All of these efforts are coordinate via the City of Oviedo Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Depending on the magnitude of the disaster, this process can take several hours to several days or perhaps weeks in extreme disaster situations.

Debris Removal

The City of Oviedo Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan includes management of Debris Removal. Any disaster that exceeds the capabilities of our local Public Works Responders will require the activation of our contractual Debris Contractor. Depending on the magnitude of the disaster, this process can take several days to a week or longer to fully mobilize.

Debris removal is typically the longest and most costly phase of disaster recovery operations. We appreciate your patience as we work tirelessly during this recovery phase.

Damage Assessment & Short Term Sheltering

The next phase and commonly is already in progress during the above phases is Damage Assessment and Short Term Sheltering. The Damage Assessment is conducted by Building Officials in which Building Inspectors are surveying the physical damage to both residential and commercial buildings. The damage assessment totals are forward to FEMA in order to achieve a federal disaster declaration. The Short Term Sheltering is made available when individuals homes are inhabitable and these shelters are normally the Public School Shelters. This sheltering is normally only available for several days or weeks or until the school system resumes. Long Term Housing may also be implemented; however, this is an extensive operation that takes a considerable amount of time to organize. Normally, your home insurance policy will cover housing expenses and you should consult your carrier.

Point of Distribution & Additional programs

One other important disaster recovery program includes Point of Distribution (POD) Disaster Relief Supplies. The POD site is activated only for large scale disasters impacting a significant portion of the population. The POD site for the Oviedo region has been predetermined and would be established at the Oviedo Mall. Typical disaster relief supplies may include food, water, tarps, etc.; however, we strongly encourage you to develop a Family Disaster Plan including Disaster Supplies so you may be self sustaining for a period of at least 7 days.