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These contractors services will, most likely, never be needed.However, we have spent the time to assure ourselves of their capabilities, set up accounts, and emergency contact numbers so that if something happens, time will not be wasted in these administrative responsibilities. A sample list of these contractors is George's Crane Services, NES Safety and WRS Infrastructure and Environment, Inc.
HOMELAND SECURITY
Florida Drawbridges, Inc. takes seriously our stewardship for the drawbridges we operate. We understand the historically strategic role of drawbridges and therefore their susceptibility to terrorist attacks. We have a terrorist awareness program in which we provide training and consultation to our employees on what to do in the event of a bomb threat, best surveillance techniques for suspicious activities, and the most efficient reporting procedures. We constantly monitor the political climate and keep our emergency response plans current. Management works closely with the Department of Transportation and local enforcement officials to ensure that our bridges remain free from ill deeds.
EMERGENCY HURRICANE PROCEDURES
Florida Drawbridges, Inc. has a seasoned Hurricane plan in place. We have met with District Six EOC coordinator to review last year’s performance and any changes planned for next year. We will do so again at the beginning of the season. Our hurricane response procedures were validated during the devastating storms of 2004 and 2005. Under the threat of 50+mph winds and potentially lethal storm-surges, our state-of-the-art communications grid and highly-disciplined team allowed us to keep in minute to minute contact with both the F-DOT and our people; decisions made by the EOC were executed without delay. We have a center point of contact, with a designated back up, for the Department’s EOC coordinator. This proved very effective in implementing closures and openings and providing the Department with real-time updates as of the conditions of the bridges. Florida Drawbridge maintains a communication network that includes contingencies for power outages, tower outages, and other unexpected difficulties. During emergencies, we have back-up numbers, as well as assigned times and rendezvous locations in the event the communication networks are down. This system is in place at all times, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
All Florida Drawbridge personnel are trained, knowledgeable and understand their duties. During the storms, our operators stoically man their posts and maintained the flawless operation of the drawbridges until the EOC gives orders to shut down the bridges. After the storms, overcoming communication issues and significant shortages of supplies and fuel, multiple damages, and partial or total power outages throughout the county, our team fearlessly responded and had the bridges manned and operating within 24 hours. We procured a portable generator and large fuel tank to keep the bridges running during power outages after the storm.
An example of this was on the old Jensen Beach Bridge in Stuart. Hurricane Jeanne submerged the bridge and washed out the west approach span rendering the bridge unoperational. The Florida Drawbridges, Inc. team was immediately contacted by the contractor, Archer Western, to assist with getting the bridge operational. The Florida Drawbridges, Inc. team scaled the 20 foot section that collapsed and locked the bridge into the upright position to let marine traffic flow through freely. Florida Drawbridges, Inc. had the resources and was able to provide emerge assistance to the contractor (even though we had no contract before hand to do so) while at the same time maintaining the same uninterrupted quality services in the other service areas in South Florida hit by the storm.
ADDITIONAL RECOVERY RESOURCES
Florida Drawbridges, Inc. is prepared to assist the Department with additional manpower and equipment if the damages sustained in a storm are severe. We have an in-house resource of over 100 employees including electricians, mechanical maintenance personnel, welders, design engineers, and all matters of tools and equipment ready to assist the Department and the public in anyway that we can.
954 788-0969
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