Report to Governor-Elect

Rick Scott
Florida Emergency Management Capabilities

Prepared by:
Gubernatorial Law & Order Transition Team
Emergency Management Work Group

December 21, 2010

Joe Myers
David Paulison
General Douglas Burnett
Ellis Stanley
Bryan Koon
Karen Knapp

EM Work Group Members

Identify Innovative Ideas to Improve
Service

Identify Cost Saving Opportunities

Identify& Replicate Success Stories-

Including Private Sector

Assessment Goals
Four Phase Approach
◦ Assessment of FDEM
◦ Discussions with other Agencies/Organizations
◦ Look at Private Sector Ideas
◦ Identification of Major Policy Issues/Ideas

Total of 71 Individuals Interviewed

◦ Excellent input & participation

Presenttoday 27 Suggested Major Action Items to

improve a very good system.
◦ Provided 50+ Page Report with details.
◦ Executive Summary—8 pages
◦ Role of Governor in Disaster (including Chapter 252, Fla. Stat.)

Action Steps Taken

1. Relocate FDEM from the Department of
Community Affairs to a new Office of
Emergency Management in the Governor’s
Office.
 Save up to $4million in current admin. costs.
2. Develop & Aggressively Pursue a
Comprehensive and Meaningful Florida
Domestic Security Strategy.
 Designate a Florida Domestic Security Coordinator in EOG.
3. Revitalize current state and local
comprehensive planning process
 Link to new Strategy!

Recommendations: Mission/Organizational
4. Better Coordination of Domestic Security
& Emergency Management Funding
 All disciplines, regions
5. Consolidate Resources (Cross discipline)
 FDEM State Watch Office/FDLE Fusion Centers
 Planning, Training, Grant Management
6. Build Regional Capabilities
 Strengthen services to local agencies
7. Downsize, then close the Florida
Recovery Office

Recommendations: Mission/Organizational
8. Enhance training & Leadership
Development
 Link to strategy
 Use Florida National Guard, Camp Blanding
 Tallahassee Community College. Leverage
capability to build Emergency Management Institute.
9. Improve excellent State Logistics
Response Center
 Increased outsourcing.
10. Develop & Fund new Wind Mitigation
Program

Recommendations: Mission/Organizational
11. Preserve EMPA Grant Fund and County Base Grants
 Critical to local and base capacity
12. Overcome FDEM Staff Turnover Issues
 Outsource to avoid OPS staffing costs
13. Relaxcurrent travel restrictions for critical
operations
 Negative impact on services
14. Examine options for best use of Non-Government
Organizations (NGO)
15. Explore “Florida Disaster Support Team,” with
private sector and “Volunteer Florida.”

Recommendations: Mission/Organizational
16. Implement new FDEM Organization as
Foundation for Success
 Under EOG
 Combine two Bureaus
 Reduce recovery staff
 More Regional Focus
17. Revise FDEM Legislative Budget Request
 Based upon final decisions by Governor
18. Improve Mission Statement and Measures
 More outcome focused---less process in measures

Recommendations: Mission/Organizational
19. Address Serious Ongoing Issues with
Deep-water Horizon Oil Spill.
20. Remedy Local Re-payment needs
21. Intervene on Federal Sheltering
Mandates
22. Examine and avoid potential impact of
Regional Evacuation Studies
23. Be prepared for future major events in
Florida

Short & Long Term Issues

24. Consider Refining Price Gouging
Regulations
25. Explore “Regional Business Emergency
Operations Centers”
26. Establish statewide credentialing system
27. Consider dedication of full time
coordinator for private sector issues.

Other Policy Ideas-Private Sector