Florida Division of Emergency Management Celebrates 3rd Annual Emergency Management Day at the Florida Capitol, Highlights Commitment to Furthering Field of Emergency Management
Today, Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) Director Kevin Guthrie highlighted the momentous accomplishments of the Division and local emergency managers under Governor DeSantis' leadership, and shared priorities to further enhance Florida's preparedness, recovery and resiliency.
"Hardworking emergency management officials around the state have responded to many challenges recently, including the destructive 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season," said FDEM Director Kevin Guthrie. "I'm happy to have the opportunity to discuss how far we’ve come, and the improvements that we can continue to make. I want to thank Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for their continued support and commitment to the resiliency of our communities statewide.”
FDEM’s 3rd annual Emergency Management Day at the Florida Capitol: Lessons Learned is an opportunity for emergency management officials throughout the state to gather in Tallahassee to discuss priorities for the upcoming year and connect with their local legislators.
In the last year, FDEM has led historic disaster responses and recovery efforts for Hurricanes Ian and Nicole, which caused widespread damage in Florida, as well as isolated severe weather events and a surge in migration along Florida’s coastlines.
Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, FDEM has distributed more than $8 billion in critical disaster recovery funding for communities impacted by recent disasters, the most paid out by FDEM in this timeframe. FDEM continues to leverage new technologies and processes to eliminate bureaucracy and help communities on their path to resiliency and recovery. Funding for FDEM in Governor DeSantis’ Framework For Freedom Budget proposal includes:
- $2.1 billion in federal and state funding so that communities and the state can respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies as well as mitigate against future disasters or emergencies.
- $117 million to construct three new warehouses and implement a state-of-the-art warehouse management system to better inventory needed supplies for disasters, reduce waste, and ensure the state is fully stocked and prepared for any future emergency needs.
- $6.8 million to modernize grant management, business processes, system issues and digitization projects.
- $5.6 million for IT sustainment to continue leveraging technology and expand WebEOC access to cities, enhancing FDEM's ability to respond to disasters.
- $1.9 million to convert 36 Other Personal Services (OPS) temporary positions to full-time (FTE) permanent positions.
Updated: Wednesday, February 15, 2023
