Frequently Asked Questions
Please select a category of related frequently asked questions:
Family or Business Disaster Plans
Flood Zones and Flood Insurance
Hazardous Materials Information
Community Emergency Response Teams and Volunteering with the State Emergency Response Team
Hurricane Shutters, Mobile Tie-Downs and Hazard Mitigation at Home
Miscellaneous Frequently Asked Questions
State Incident Management Teams
Family or Business Disaster Plans
How do I make a family disaster plan? When should I do this?
Go to www.floridadisaster.org. This will help you prepare you and your family for future disasters. If you have not made your family plan, now is the time to make one. The sooner you have your plan in place, the better position you and your family will be in to ride out a disaster.
What should I do as an owner of a small business if a disaster strikes?
You should create a Business Disaster Plan by going to www.floridadisaster.org. This will help you coordinate and provide a business plan for a disaster. If you do not have one, now is the time to make a plan.
What happens if I lose/forget my password to access my Disaster Plan?
If you forget your password to access your Disaster Plan, you can click on “Password Help”, and your password will be emailed to you. If you have changed your email address, and have forgotten your password, you can email florida.disaster@em.myflorida.com, include your previous email address, and we can reset your login and password.
Evacuation Zones
How do I find out about evacuation zones in my area?
County wide evacuation route and zone maps are available. However, these maps are for general reference and may not provide enough detail for pinpointing your location. You can contact your County Emergency Management Agency to find out which evacuation zone you are located in.
How do I find out if an evacuation order has been issued?
During an emergency, your Local Emergency Management Program should always be consulted regarding evacuation orders.
Flood Zones and Flood Insurance
How do I find out about flood zones in my area?
Flood zones are geographic areas that FEMA has defined according to varying levels of flood risk. To find out about flood zones in your area, visit www.FloodSmart.gov.
Who can answer my questions about flood insurance and the National Flood Insurance Program?
In Florida, questions about flood insurance and the National Flood Insurance Program can be answered by calling the hotline (850) 413-9960 or by emailing questions to: floods@em.myflorida.com.
Where can I find GIS data and maps for flood zones?
Please see http://www.floridadisaster.org/gis/data/index.htm#flood.
Hazardous Materials Information
Who do I contact regarding tier II reporting?
The State Emergency Response Commission: 800-635-7179 (Florida only) or 850-413-9970.
How do I file Tier II reports for hazardous materials facilities?
Please visit http://www.floridahmis.org and follow the instructions sent to your primary facility. The deadline for submission is March 1.
For hazardous materials facilities reporting, do I still have to send a copy of my Tier II form to my LEPC or fire department?
Yes, at the moment we are recommending that facilities should still submit Tier IIs to the LEPCs and the fire departments.
Can I pay fees for hazardous materials facilities online?
Yes, as of February 1, 2010 you can pay associated Tier II fees online via Master Card, American Express, Discover or by Electronic Check once you have completed the filing process at http://www.floridahmis.org.
Can I still file paper forms for hazardous materials facilities?
Yes, you can download all necessary forms at http://hazmat.floridadisaster.org.
Who do I contact for information on mailing SERC payments?
Call 800-635-7179 for deadline information, then you can mail your payment to 2555 Shumard Oak Blvd. Tallahassee, Florida 32399 (make sure you address the envelope to SERC).
Special Needs Sheltering
Where do I go to find shelters for special needs in my area?
Go to: www.floridadisaster.org/disability/sheltering.html and click on General Population Shelters at the start of the second paragraph. Then click on the county of interest.
Must a person with a disability go to a Special Needs Shelter?
Not necessarily. Having a disability does not automatically exclude you from a general population shelter nor does having a disability automatically make you eligible for a Special Needs Shelter. Generally, if you are medically stable and do not need supervised medical care, you can be admitted to a general population shelter. You should check with your county’s Emergency Management Office for eligibility requirements.
Do I have to pre-register on my county’s Special Needs Registry?
No. However, pre-registering will help your Emergency Management professionals plan to meet your needs.
If I pre-register on my county’s Special Needs Registry, do I have to go to a Special Needs Shelter?
Not necessarily. Registering does not mean that you have to go to a Special Needs Shelter if you have to evacuate. You have the choice of going there or some other place that will meet your needs, such as a friend or relative’s house..
Where do I go to find shelters for special needs in my area?
Go to: www.floridadisaster.org/disability/sheltering.html and click on General Population Shelters at the start of the second paragraph. Then click on the county of interest.
Can I take my service animal to a shelter?
All shelters are required to admit a person with a service animal. A service animal may be excluded from the shelter if that animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others. If your service animal causes problems, the shelter manager may require you to remove the animal but you can still stay in the shelter. However, a service animal cannot be excluded based on assumptions about how it will behave.
What documentation is required for a service animal?
Documentation that the service animal is trained is not a precondition to providing service for an individual accompanied by a service animal. You may be asked if the animal is a service animal or what tasks the animal has been trained to perform in order to determine the difference between a service animal and a pet. It is a good idea, but not required, to have veterinary information available (shot records, veterinarian contact information, etc.).
Who is responsible for caring for my service animal?
You are. You must keep your service animal under control, provide food, water and other supplies and take care of the animal’s relief requirements.
I have a personal care attendant. Must he accompany me to a shelter?
It is best if your personal care attendant can accompany you. However, you cannot be denied admittance to a general population or special needs shelter if your personal care attendant is unavailable.
Community Emergency Response Teams and Working/Volunteering with the
State Emergency Response Team
How do I become a member of my local CERT -- Community Emergency Response Team?
Floridians who are interested in becoming a member of a CERT team can find information on teams and Citizen Corps councils in their local area and sign up to serve. Visit the Citizen Corps webpage to learn more about becoming a member.
How do I become a member of SERT -- The State Emergency Response Team?
To become a member of the State Emergency Response Team, you need to be a member of a federal, state, local, non-governmental organization or private sector entity that has response/recovery/mitigation functions during natural or manmade disasters in the State of Florida.
How do I become part of the Disaster Reservist program?
To apply to become part of the Disaster Reservist Cadre, please visit http://www.floridadisaster.org/Recovery/IndividualAssistance/DisasterReservist/ for the requirements. If you have any questions or comments feel free to e-mail the Disaster Reservist Cadre Manager at quentin.wiley@em.myflorida.com.
How do I apply for employment with the Florida Division of Emergency Management?
Go to https://peoplefirst.myflorida.com/logon.htm. Fill out a State of Florida application online. You can sort by the agency you are interested in working with, and then submit your application. We accept online applications only.
How do you become a staff member of a JFO?
Given the activities and responsibilities assigned to the JFO, the appropriate personnel must be assigned to support the structure. All personnel reporting to the JFO, including those in leadership positions must:
- Be capable of successfully completing a minimal security background check.
- Understand and execute NIMS and NRP principles.
Certification of this requirement is through the mandatory completion of the following Independent Study courses offered on the FEMA Emergency Management Institute web page (IS-100, IS-200, IS- 700 and IS-800 (or agency equivalent training on the NIMS and NRP)). Members are also encouraged to complete IS-300, IS-400, and any additional ICS position-specific training.
- Departments or agencies supplying representatives to the JFO must certify to DHS that their personnel have complied with the requisite NIMS and NRP training.
- JFO personnel must be familiar with Annex F of the JFO SOP (Security Procedures) as well as information related to information security.
- Individuals assigned to JFO leadership or staff positions may be required to work long hours under stressful, unfavorable, strenuous and non-sedentary conditions. These conditions may include adverse weather conditions, exposure to the elements, limited food, water supplies and shelter options. DHS/FEMA will establish a certification process that will allow agencies to pre-certify individuals to the extent possible, with an additional procedure to allow certifications to be provided during an incident if needed. For agencies that provide agency-specific training on the NRP and NIMS, DHS/FEMA Joint Field Office Field Operations Guide UNCLASSIFIED 2-3
How can one get on Florida Division of Emergency Management’s vendors list?
You can register at: http://dms.myflorida.com/egovernment_tools/myflorida_marketplace. Once registered you may participate in the State Competitive Bid System by linking to this web page. If you have any problems or questions during the registration process, please contact the My Florida MarketPlace Customer Service Desk at 866-352-3776 or via email at VendorHelp@myfloridamarketplace.com.
How do I volunteer with the State Emergency Response Team?
Visit www.VolunteerFlorida.org.
Hurricane Shutters, Mobile Tie-Downs and Hazard Mitigation at Home
When should I put up hurricane shutters? What do I do when my homeowners’ association restricts us from having them put up at certain times?
When you hear a hurricane is headed in your direction, it is time to put up the hurricane shutters. When dealing with home owners restrictions, you can prepare by having a plan for someone to come and put up your hurricane shutters and secure your home in the event of a hurricane storm. Get in touch with your homeowner association to learn more about securing your home for storms. The best plan is to be prepared, make your arrangements before a storm happens. For more information about hurricane shutters, visit http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/shutters/index1.html.
Who can help me with Mobile Home Tie downs?
Each year the Division of Emergency Management transfer $2.8 million from the Hurricane Loss Mitigation Program to Tallahassee Community College for the mobile home tie-down program. This program ensures that entire manufactured home communities and mobile home parks may be improved wherever practicable. The contact person for this program is Amy Bojackzy at 850 201-8525.
Who do I contact if a tree is close to my home, and could potential safety issue to my neighbors or myself?
With regards to any state or federal program that could offer assistance, unfortunately there are none at the Florida Division of Emergency Management. Since the trees could have a safety issue, please contact the local city and/or county public works departments to see if they may have such a program that could assist you. Many times, municipalities have “Nuisance & Abatement” ordinances that will give local governments authority to enter into private property to take the necessary measures to correct a safety or health problem.
Miscellaneous Frequently Asked Questions
Who do I contact about Florida Division of Emergency Management and State Emergency Response Team training information?
Contact the following for your region or issue:
Region 1&2: Necole Holton |
necole.holton@em.myflorida.com | |
Region 3: Necole Holton |
necole.holton@em.myflorida.com | |
Region 4/5/7: Calvin Williams |
calvin.williams@em.myflorida.com | |
Region 6: Michael Beha |
michael.beha@em.myfloida.com | |
REP T&E Issues: Britton Holdaway |
britton.holdaway@em.myflorida.com | |
Energy Assurance T&E Issues: Michal McElroy |
michael.mcelroy@em.myflorida.com | |
PSIC T&E Issues: Robert Little |
robert.little@em.myflorida.com |
Who do I contact about price gouging?
Call the Florida Attorney General’s price gouging reporting hotline at: 1-866-966-7226.
What is the contact number for FEMA?
To file a claim, please call 1-800-621-3362. For all other questions, please visit the website at www.fema.gov, or visit http://www.fema.gov/about/contact/regions.shtm for FEMA Regional contact numbers.
Where can I get information regarding building code questions, or Housing and Community Development (HCD)?
Visit www.floridabuilding.org or call 850-487-1824
What is the policy for the use of DEM’s photography, maps, audio/visual recordings, and written material?
Please review the conditions for use of all DEM material.
Will the Florida Division of Emergency Management trade links with Businesses or individuals?
No, we do not trade links, but you are free to link ours.
How do I find out about hurricane evacuation zones in my area?
Hurricane evacuation zones are based on regional evacuation studies. These studies are currently being updated with an expected completion date of 12/2009. Sometime after that, we would expect to provide hurricane evacuation zone maps through our website. In the meantime, for the latest hurricane evacuation zone information for your county, please visit your county emergency management office.
If you have any questions or suggestions to add, please contact us.
Updated:
April 9, 2013 10:58
