GOVERNOR CRIST AND STATE OFFICIALS PARTICIPATE IN ANNUAL HOMELAND SECURITY EXERCISE
August 6, 2008
Contact:
GOVERNOR’S PRESS OFFICE
(850) 488-5394
TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today joined Florida’s Cabinet officers, state agency heads, law enforcement and emergency management officials to conduct the sixth annual homeland security “tabletop” exercise at the State Emergency Operations Center. The exercise is an annual drill where the Governor and top state officials respond to mock domestic security threats.
“The time spent together with our team today will be invaluable to Floridians should a terrorist, or pandemic event occur, “said Governor Crist. “Our ‘all-hazards’ approach to emergency planning and training helps to ensure that the State Team is ready to respond to all potential threats, from natural events to man-made.”
The scenario of the 2008 training exercise involved a pandemic influenza event that was focused largely on the issues of Continuity of Government and Operations. The primary objective of the exercise is to give the state’s top executives and staff an opportunity to engage in policy-level discussions with federal and local officials to test information sharing and to learn the best way to coordinate their response plans and recovery roles with partner agencies.
Representatives from the Centers of Disease Control, Florida National Guard, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency also participated in the half-day drill. Division of Emergency Management Director Craig Fugate noted the importance of the day’s training, and the responsibility for individual preparedness by all Floridians.
“Florida’s leadership has come together in training today to learn how to best meet the needs of our residents,” said Fugate. “It is equally important that all Floridians take the time now, before disaster strikes, to get a plan. “
Preparedness by State, Regional and Local Partners
Each of Florida’s seven Regional Domestic Security Task Forces, in coordination with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), has completed numerous tabletop and functional exercises over the past several years. These exercises provide vital training to members of all disciplines, including law enforcement, fire, health, education and the private sector.
In addition to domestic security efforts by the FDLE and Division of Emergency Management, the Florida Department of Health (DOH) is continuing its preparedness programs to ensure the protection of all Floridians. This afternoon, State Emergency Coordinating Officers will continue with a training exercise on pandemic flu planning at the State EOC.
“Preparing for pandemic flu is just one of the many types of disasters we at DOH are continually training for to ensure Floridians remain safe and well,” said State Surgeon General Ana Viamonte Ros, M.D. M.P.H. “DOH is committed to keeping all Floridians informed, engaged, prepared and protected.”
Florida’s Strategy
Florida’s statewide domestic security strategy is organized around five key goals and objectives:
· Prevent, preempt and deter acts of terrorism
· Prepare for terrorism response missions
· Protect Florida’s citizens, visitors and critical infrastructure
· Respond in an immediate, effective and coordinated manner
· Recover quickly and restore
Since September 11, 2001, Florida has received over $1.3 billion in federal and state funding dedicated to ensure the state’s domestic security and increase responder capabilities.
For more information on Florida’s domestic security efforts, visit www.fdle.state.fl.us. The Florida Department of Health Website is www.doh.state.fl.us and for more information regarding family preparedness plans and the State Emergency Response Team see: www.FloridaDisaster.org or www.myflorida.com.
AGENCY MEDIA CONTACTS:
MIKE STONE, DEM (850) 413-9969
HEATHER SMITH, FDLE (850) 410-7020
JUDI SPANN, DOH (850) 245-4111