The Council works on a wide range of planning documents for the State and around the Northeast Florida region, with a focus on natural hazard plans. Examples of these plans include:
Statewide Regional Evacuation Study Program
Following the destructive 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons, the State of Florida’s Legislature appropriated $29 million for the purpose of hurricane evacuation planning. House Bill 7121 – Disaster Preparedness Response and Recovery states, “The Legislature finds that hurricane evacuation planning is a critical task that must be completed in the most effective and efficient manner possible. Appropriated funds may be used to update current regional evacuation plans and shall incorporate current transportation networks, behavioral studies, and vulnerability studies. In addition, funds may be used to perform computer-modeling analysis on the effects of storm-surge events.”
The Statewide Regional Evacuation Study Program (SRESP – link) began in 2006 as a direct result of this funding. The Legislature funded two inter-related and dependent projects – $24.5 million for Light Detection and Ranging data (LiDAR) and $4.5 million to update each Region’s Evacuation Study.
The result of this process is an Evacuation Study for each Region in Florida that while unique to its Region, was completed using the same methodology as the other Regions across the State. The Study itself is made up of eight (8) Volumes. The most current Northeast Florida Regional Evacuation Study was released in 2013.
Local Mitigation Strategies
A Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) is a plan developed by the county to reduce and/or eliminate the risks associated with natural and man-made hazards. These plans must be in accordance with the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000). DMA 2000 is a mechanism for collaboration between state and local entities that encourages pre-disaster planning, recognizes need for mitigation, and designates funding for projects through Federal grant opportunities. The Florida Division of Emergency Management Mitigation Planning Unit assists counties in the update and review process of the LMS. They serve as a resource for technical advice, knowledge of funding sources, and general information regarding hazard mitigation. Without an approved LMS a county will be unable to apply for many Federal grants, and the LMS must be updated every five years to remain compliant.
Currently, the Council provides planning and technical services to Clay County for the LMS plan. Clay County, in coordination with the Council, successfully submitted an updated LMS plan to the State in 2015, which has been approved through 2020.
Preparedness Plans
•Comprehensive Emergency Management Plans
•Hazard Specific Annexes
•Sheltering Plans
•Evacuation Plans
•Continuity of Operations Plans
Contacts
Eric Anderson – Emergency Preparedness
Ph: (904) 279-0880 x178
eanderson@nefrc.org