Response

The Bureau of Response coordinates state operational response activities among partner organizations that are active during emergencies and disasters that affect the State of Florida. The Bureau is home to the following sections:

• Operations Section – Responsible for monitoring incidents that may require State response, as well as ensuring the operational readiness of the State Emergency Operations Center. The Section includes the State Watch Office, Meteorological Support Unit, the All-Hazards Incident Management Team Program and the Human Services Program.
• Logistics Section – Responsible for ensuring the state is ready with logistical support to respond to any natural or man-made disasters via contract negations, vendor management, and warehousing operations. The Section includes the Mutual Aid & EMAC Program.
• Infrastructure Section – Provides technical assistance to county governments with surveying and retrofitting hurricane shelters throughout the state. The Section includes the ESF 19 Emergency Fuel Program.
• The Technological Hazards Section – Serves as support to the State Emergency Response Commission, and coordinates Radiological Emergency Preparedness with Florida’s Nuclear Power Plants. The Section includes the Tier II Program and the Risk Management Unit.
• Regional Response Coordinator  - The Regional Response Coordinators are a group of individuals within the Division who live and work in one of the ten regions of Florida. The Response Coordinators assists Florida’s 67 counties and more than 400 cities, hospitals, ports, non-profits (houses of worship), and other private sector entities (e.g., power, spaceport, tourist destinations).

• State Emergency Response Team - The State Emergency Response Team (SERT) is an inter-agency organization authorized by law for the purpose of assisting locals in responding to and recovering from disasters. The SERT is comprised of Sections, Branches, and Emergency Support Functions (ESF). These entities work closely with one another to fulfill resource requests from local entities requiring support before, during, and after a disaster.