Crisis Preparation
Osceola County's Kissimmee resort area is among the world's most visited travel destinations, annually serving as the temporary home to more than 6 million visitors. In the event of natural or man-made emergency situations, the safety and well being of these temporary residents traveling to or already housed in the area are of paramount concern for the Kissimmee Convention & Visitors Bureau, Osceola County's tourism marketing agency. Every available step will be taken to ensure Osceola County's part-time residents receive prompt and accurate information to prepare for or withstand the threats of the emergency situation.
Worldwide attention may be focused on the area as a result of the emergency situation and the area's popularity among travelers. Local, national and international media may converge on the area to cover response, relief or recovery efforts, and travel professionals understandably need verifiable, accurate and current information to conduct business beneficial to their respective clients and the Kissimmee area.
The primary goal of the Kissimmee Convention & Visitors Bureau Emergency Operations Plan is to assist in the safety and well being of visitors by obtaining and disseminating accurate information and visible leadership in a timely fashion. This plan defines prescribed communication protocols to mitigate potentially damaging issues that can affect the destination's long-term public image, appeal and viability among travelers and associated professional organizations.
The CVB supports Osceola County political leaders and Public Safety officials' response to emergency situations while also satisfying dedicated tourism marketing and communications requirements.
Hurricane season (June-November) is the more likely scenario that would prompt emergency response actions. In this situation, the Kissimmee area serves more often as a host community for residents and visitors seeking shelter from the storm's path or coastal flood areas. While this is the more likely scenario, the CVB staff readily accepts that other situations may occur with the potential to adversely impact the area's visitors or the destination's reputation as a favorite location to vacation, conduct sports or hold conventions and business meetings.
Besides hurricanes, Kissimmee and Osceola County could face a variety of other events that precipitate implementation of emergency operations, including:
- Other severe weather (tornado/severe thunderstorm/flood)
- Plane or train disaster
- Nuclear or chemical spill disaster
- Terrorist acts or hostage situations
- Infectious disease/pandemic outbreak
- Crime or civil disorder
- Global socio-economic events
Events such as the above could have a major impact on the Tourism Industry. Even if the County's formal Emergency Operation Center is not activated, the CVB staff will remain alert to possible response procedures.