Emergency Reponse in Florida

Emergency response is critical component to a natural disaster. In some instances, natural disasters are unexpected in regards to both their duration and destructive capabilities. In other instances, natural disasters can be seen ahead of time, while the damage can still be unknown, as is the case for hurricanes. In either circumstance, a proper response can mitigate hardships within a particular community. The proper response is often a coordinated and integrated approach to remedying a situation. Florida is a state that is particularly prone to natural disasters and in particular hurricanes. In recent occurrences, it was not the actual hurricane that caused so much destruction, but instead the residual effects. For example, flooding, power outages, and debris often cause more damage than the actual hurricane did. It is for these reasons that a robust emergency support system is needed.

In regards to the emergency support system of Florida, it appears that the state is doing very well in regards to an integrated and proper solution. Florida law establishes the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan as the master operations document for the State of Florida and it is the framework through which the state handles emergencies and disasters. It defines the responsibilities of the government, private, volunteer and non-governmental organizations that comprise the State Emergency Response Team. A proper ESF generally consists of 15 main points of emphasis. These roles and responsibilities provide the basis for a proper response in the event of an emergency or natural disaster. In regards to Florida, the primary roles of an effective emergency response program are transportation, communications, search and rescue and public works. Although all 15 roles and responsibilities are important, as it relates to the Florida, these appear to be primary ones. Currently, Florida is doing a great job in regards to all 4. The reason for this is that Florida uses All-Hazard planning in regards to natural disasters. All-hazards planning is based on the premise that the consequences of disasters are the same regardless of the hazard, and most of the functions performed during emergency situations are not hazard-specific. Hence, the most efficient approach to planning is to plan in some detail for the tasks required to carry out basic emergency functions that may have to be executed whether a disaster is caused by a natural, technological, or man-made hazard. Transportation, particularly during a hurricane is very robust. In its 2015 emergency response draft, the state of Florida has a uses a reverse land evacuation program throughout the state. The governor, through executive order, can provide host shelters in each county in the state of Florida. In addition, there generally is one department that oversees the 15 ESFs mentioned earlier. As a result, coordination is very critical to success. In Florida, although one department is in charge of one ESF, they are report to one overarching entity, the State Coordinating Officer. This funnel approach allows for a quick and efficient response as it relates to resources and materials. In addition, Florida heavily uses both state and federal resources to properly aid in disaster relief efforts. For example, in the states 2015 disaster relief plan, Florida uses FEMA to remove debris from public roads, to rebuild buildings and equipment, and to fix water control facilities. It also uses private organizations and volunteers to help evacuate individuals and communicate with communities.