City of Franklin department heads recently participated in a panel discussion to inform residents and assist them in their preparations for this hurricane season.

The discussion was filmed by Teche Talk Productions.

The panel included Mayor Raymond Harris, Chief of Police Sabria McGuire, Fire Chief Chuck Bourgeois, Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Hildreth, Director of Utilities Dainae Prejean, Director of Administration Karen LeBlanc and Public Works Director Jeremy Smith.

Each discussed their department’s role before, during and after a storm, emphasizing important points that the public should know in order to fully understand what the city and residents can do together to prepare for a storm and stay safe.

The panelists answered questions on topics such as how the city prepares for a hurricane; the person in charge of communicating with citizens; the importance of evacuations; duties of residents when they are preparing to evacuate; what to bring for an evacuation; how long of an evacuation to prepare for; transporting evacuees; sheltering in Franklin as a last resort; returning home after a hurricane; debris removal; and water production.

The panel discussion will be televised on Cox Cable channel 4 tonight and May 29 right after the 7 p.m. airing of Teche Talk. Residents can pick up a copy of the Red Cross “Hurricane Safety Checklist” in the tax department or the water department on the first floor of city hall.