Item Coversheet
Town of Miami Lakes
Memorandum
To:Honorable Mayor and Councilmembers
From:Alex Rey, Town Manager
Subject:Hurricane Preparedness
Date:4/3/2018
Recommendation:

It is recommended that the Town Council approve the attached Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) and the Town of Miami Lakes (TML), to utilize the AlertFlorida notification system provided by FDEM to transmit alerts, warnings, and other authorized public safety messaging to residents, businesses, and visitors located within the Town at no cost.

Background:

At its October 2017 meeting, the Council expressed the need to address the three concerns pertaining to hurricane preparedness using a notification system like Code Red, handheld/satellite radios, and a permanent generator installed at Town Hall.

Alert and Mass Notification Services (AlertFlorida)

During an emergency, the Town of Miami Lakes has a need to provide its residents with public safety information quickly. Securing access to the AlertFlorida emergency notification system will allow the public to opt-in to ensure they receive alerts and notifications concerning natural disasters, public heath emergencies, or any event that endangers the health and safety of the residents, businesses, and visitors of TOML. The State offers an opportunity to eligible users, which when implemented in TOML would allow the system to be known as AlertMiamiLakes at no cost. The MOA will be effective until June 30, 2019. The Service is at no cost to the Town.

Handheld/Satellite Radios


Presently, the town is pursuing a sub-grant opportunity with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) Office of Emergency Management (OEM) through their eligibility of various Homeland Security grants, including emergency communications for satellite radios. TOML has requested 12 (with a minimum of 8) satellite radios to assist in the preparedness, response, and recovery phases of Emergency Management. Notification from MDFR OEM is anticipated by June 2018. The operating expense of the satellite radios is estimated at $2,400 for twelve 75-minute calling cards. Should the Town be awarded the Grant for the devices, the operating expense of the satellite radios will come from budgeted funds in the Town's Budget for Hurricane Expenses..

Permanent Generator

The structure that will house the permanent generator is currently under construction at approximately 60% completion. The generator is being manufactured and is scheduled to be delivered at Town Hall the last week of May and the contractor will begin installation. The generator is expected to be fully installed and operational in June of this year.

ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Resolution
Exhibit A- Agreement