Contact information

Volusia County Hotline
(866) 345-0345

United Way
First Call for Help
211 or (386)253-0563

Volusia County Schools
West Volusia
734-7190 ext. 20000
New Smyrna Beach
427-5223 ext. 20000
Daytona Beach
255-6475 ext. 20000
Deltona/DeBary
(386) 860-3322

DeLand
(386) 734-1711

Deltona
(386) 561-2109

Edgewater
(386) 424-2400

Flagler County
 (386) 437-8202

New Smyrna Beach Hotlines
(386) 424-2113
(386) 424-2114

Ormond Beach
Public Works
(386) 676-3220
Police non-emergency (386) 677-0731

Ponce Inlet
(386) 322-6711

Port Orange
(386) 506-5999

FPL Hotline
1-800-4-OUTAGE

FEMA
Assistance number
1-800-621-3362.

American Red Cross:
(386) 226-1400 (daily)
(866) GET-INFO (during crisis)

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September 29, 2009
Stefany Strong, Public Information Officer,
Volusia County Health Dept.
Shelley Szafraniec, APR, CPRC,
Volusia County Community Information

Health officials to businesses: Have a flu plan

If half of your employees come down with flu this season, can you keep your business running?

That’s what local health officials are asking business leaders this flu season.

“Many businesses are planning and preparing in case they are faced with a challenging situation of flu greatly impacting the workforce this flu season” said Dr. Bonnie Sorensen, director of the Volusia County Health Department. “It’s important for employees to take the proper steps to stay healthy which includes covering their coughs and sneezes, frequent hand washing, and staying home when sick.”

Said Charlie Craig, Volusia County Emergency Management director: “The disaster planning in which forward-thinking businesses engage, is the same kind of planning they should do for flu. Business owners and employers should dust off their plans and cross-train employees so they are confident vital activities can continue. In any crisis, it’s better to be prepared than be surprised.”

As part of our “Let’s Fight Flu Together” campaign, health officials and emergency management officials are offering tips to employers and business owners on how to keep a healthy work environment.

Helpful tips for a healthy workplace

  • Protect employee health and well-being. Remind employees about proper hygiene and how to prevent the spread of flu, including effective hand washing, and covering coughs or sneezes with tissues or in sleeves.
  • Establish sick leave policies to enable sick employees to stay away from work and communicate those policies effectively to employees. If employees can work from home if needed, establish that protocol. Determine how you will support employees who must miss work due to caring for sick children or relatives.
  • Provide sufficient facilities for hand washing and encourage use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers (at least 60 percent alcohol) or wipes in common workplace areas such as lobbies, corridors and restrooms.
  • Provide tissues, disinfectants and disposable towels for employees to clean their work surfaces, as well as appropriate disposal receptacles.
  • Reiterate to employees they should stay home if they are sick and should seek medical care if needed. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends people with influenza-like illness remain at home until at least 24 hours after they are fever-free (100° F [37.8°C]), or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.
  • Cross-train employees in different roles. Encourage employees to be proactive and offer to learn new responsibilities and train others.

For more information about the flu and a toolkit to help your business prepare, please visit www.volusiahealth.com. Let’s fight flu together.

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Preparation information
  Disaster Preparedness Guide
Disaster Preparedness Guide

Shelters
What to bring
Pets
Special needs

Evacuation route maps and surge zones

Emergency Management