The request before you this evening is to approve a resolution which will officially adopt the City of New Port Richey's Disaster Preparedness Guide.

As you are aware, the City of New Port Richey has a Disaster Preparedness Guide as part of our emergency management program, allowable by Florida State Statute 252.38. One of the requirements we have recently been made aware of while going through the Community Rating System (CRS) process, is the need to have the City of New Port Richey Disaster Preparedness Guide formally adopted by City Council. The purpose of the Disaster Preparedness Guide, is to provide uniform guidelines for the effective coordination of actions necessary to prepare for, respond to, recover from and mitigate natural or manmade disasters which might affect the health, safety, or general welfare of residents. The Disaster Preparedness Guide includes governmental situation and authority, geographic analysis, hazard analysis, stages of preparedness as well as critical facility elevations and surge heights with associated mapping. A major part of the Disaster Preparedness Guide are the individual department operational plans that aid in allowing for effective coordination between departments in regard to response and recovery strategies.  Lastly, current contact information of city staff that play a vital role in emergency management as well as elected officials, is included in the Disaster Preparedness Guide to ensure proper communications can be made when needed.