Broward College Experts for 2015 Hurricane Season

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (May 19, 2015) – Hurricane season begins June 1, and Broward College has several experts available to discuss issues surrounding hurricane preparation and awareness, including:

General Hurricane Preparedness and Safety

Jaeson Weber is Broward College’s coordinator for safety, security and emergency preparedness. He is available to discuss general hurricane preparedness, creating personal and family emergency plans, as well as maintaining and replenishing emergency kits. Weber may be reached at 954-201-5322 or jweber2@broward.edu.

Debra Hauss, RN, MSN, is the district director of continuing education workforce development and health sciences, as well as the emergency nurse specialty coordinator at Broward College. She has more than 19 years of experience working on the South Florida Regional Disaster Medical Assistance Team. Hauss is available to provide information on hurricane preparedness for the general public, the elderly and disabled, as well as caregivers, such as having an adequate supply of medication on hand before a storm. She can be reached at 954-201-4855 or dhauss@broward.edu.

Marcus Robinson, director of safety and the chief fire official at Broward College, is available to discuss how to stay safe before, during and after a storm, as well as how to safely operate a generator during a power outage in order to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. He can also discuss precautions to take when using grills, camp stoves, or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices. Robinson may be reached at 954-201-5323 or mrobins2@broward.edu.

Kenneth Shives, associate dean of the Institute of Public Safety at Broward College, has more than 20 years of police experience with the Coral Springs Police Department. He is available to discuss the amount of supplies and food people may need and how to adequately prepare the home. Shives can be reached at 954-201-6801 or kshives@broward.edu.

Psychology and Education 

Jillian Wojcik is assistant professor in the social and behavioral sciences department at Broward College. She is available to discuss how hurricanes psychologically impact adults and children, how not experiencing a storm for several season can impact one’s preparation, as well as how to deal with  the psychological aftermath of a storm. She can be reached at jwojcik@broward.edu. 

Kelly Walker is an assistant professor in the teacher education program at Broward College. Walker spent more than 14 years in the public school system teaching and coordinating services for students with special needs. She is available to discuss how to help children with special needs prepare for a storm, as well as the effects a hurricane may have on them. She can reached at 954-201-7979 or kwalker1@broward.edu.

Physical Environmental Effects – Oceanography and Marine Life

Angel Rodriguez, Ed.D., is a professor in the physical sciences department at Broward College, with specializations in oceanography and marine biology. He is available to discuss how hurricanes form, as well as the effects of hurricanes on coastal environments, including coastal beach erosion, and the impact on marine life. He can be reached 954-201-7578 or arodrigu@broward.edu.

Natalie Osterhoudt is an assistant professor in the biology department at Broward College and holds a master’s degree in zoology. She is available to provide information on the impact hurricanes have on marine and wildlife, including the exposure of sea turtle nests and their destruction due to beach erosion, as well as the danger posed to fish, crabs and oysters. She can be reached at 954 201-8984 or nosterho@broward.edu.

For more information, contact Angela Nicoletti at 954-201-7939 or anicolet@broward.edu.

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