Redwood City, CA
1-800-348-8911

911 CARES Supporters,

Many of you have inquired about the damage done by Charley in Florida . It has taken some work and unique communications but we finally have an answer for you. It appears as of today, there are 8 dispatchers that experienced a complete loss of their homes. Many other dispatchers have also lost portions of their homes or their personal property.

As with any disaster, getting money “on the ground” is the most effective way to help immediately. 911 CARES has decided to start an official “activation” to assist in these efforts. The Florida State APCO Chapter has also started a fund to assist those in need. That information can be found on a link at www.911cares.com

Though insurance will cover re-building, we know that personal needs are the most crucial. Food, clothing, shelter and creature comforts will be a priority. Amazingly, no dispatcher was injured so we are luckily in a position where we are helping fellow dispatchers get on their feet.

PSTC and 911 CARES has three staff members that live in Florida and we have already built relationships with each of the agencies below. Before this posting, we have already sent 911 CARES t-shirts to each center and 911 CARES teddy bears to all of the kids of the dispatchers.

To make your donation, either go online at www.911cares.com and click on the “shop online” link. From there it is easy. You can also call in your donation to 911 CARES at 650-595-5202 . Your last option is to mail your donation to PSTC 911 CARES at PO Box 5508 – Redwood City , CA – 94063. As with all of our activations, 100% of donations go towards the cause.

Below is a summary provided by a variety of sources. We have taken the time to confirm each need. When I spoke with Nancy at Punta Gorda Police yesterday, she asked that we pass on her personal thanks for the outpouring of support. Here is a woman who lost her house and took the time to thank you! She is an amazing example of 9-1-1 professionals. She is back at work and considers herself “blessed” by the experience of Charley!

We have listed the agency addresses below if you want to send an agency “care package” or card. Please avoid calling each agency as they are still disaster areas and phone service is precious.

This is the August 24th update provided by the various agencies:

Desoto County Sheriff's Office - 911 Center
208 East Cypress Street
Arcadia , FL 34266

They have 14 employees in dispatch. They have 2 employees who have lost everything - home, clothes etc.  Those 2 employees each have 1 child - a 3 year old and an 8th grader.  They did mention that parts of their county are starting to get power back now and that's been a tremendous help.  

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Punta Gorda P.D. - Dispatch
1410 Tamiami Trail
Punta Gorda, FL 33950

Punta Gorda has 8 dispatchers. They have one 44yo female (Nancy) who lost everything.  Her size is 10-12.  She has no kids and as of yesterday, due to the kindness of a NY police officer, is living in his vacation home. She needs clothing, she was on duty at the time and has only the uniform she is wearing (and hand washes each day) along with a bag of clothes a neighboring dispatch center just dropped off. Again, they asked for nothing in particular but mentioned how blessed they all felt from the outpouring of support and donations from other dispatchers in this area & around the state.  

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Charlotte County Sheriff's Office - 911 Center
7474 Utilities Rd
Punta Gorda , FL 33982

(I spoke with Supervisor Melanie, she advised that due to the extreme damage in their center, they were being relocated sometime in the coming week.  They weren't sure if they were going to just be moved in to a trailer in the parking lot or in to another building and she hoped that anything sent would get to them. CCSO has 40 dispatchers. They have 5 employees with a total loss of homes.  They have 1 employee (Andrea) who lost her home and she has 3 kids, ages 3, 7 & 10 and they are all in need of clothing. 

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Thank you soooo much ...care packages from you guys will be just the lift up that they need!  You generosity will always be remembered.

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