Florida Division of Emergency Management: Hurricane Season Ends; Wildfire Season Begins

On Friday, November 30, 2007, this office attended a Press Conference held by the Florida Division of Emergency Management (“DEM”) regarding the end of the 2007 Atlantic Hurricane Season and the beginning of drought and wildfire season. 

Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp, Deputy Director Ruben D. Almaguer, and State Meteorologist Ben Nelson provided comments. 

Mr. Nelson stated that currents and wind shear were the main factors that attributed to keeping Florida safe from any severe storms making direct landfall in 2007.  He also noted that La Nina is now occurring, which is not good for the dry season.  Florida can expect continued drought and potential increased wildfires in the coming months.  He also encouraged Floridians to conserve water and purchase weather radios for the upcoming tornado season.

Mr. Almaguer stressed the importance of preparation because tornadoes or terrorist events could happen at any time.  He also briefed the audience on the recent activities of DEM.  They established a statewide disabilities coordinator, created a large housing facility in central Florida for storing needed commodities, and have allocated billions of state dollars to local governments for emergency preparations.  

Finally, Lt. Governor Kottcamp addressed the audience and noted that DEM has been working hard year round to prepare Floridians for potential disasters.  He stressed that the state has serious concerns about wildfires and drought and called on DMS to hold a drought and wildfire summit that will likely be held in January or February of 2008.

To read the DEM press release on today’s press conference, click here.

The DEM, together with a consortium of state, local, federal, academic, and private partners, also has begun a strategic planning process to foster statewide coordination of geographic information systems (“GIS”) activities in Florida, and is seeking the input of the GIS community over the next several months.

To read the DEM press release outlining how to participate in the on-line survey and provide input on upcoming workshops on December 4, 10 and 11, click here.

To read the most recent DEM Executive Committee notes from November 26, 2007, click here.

 

Should you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact this office.