The Division of Emergency Management plans for and responds to both natural and man-made disasters. These range from floods and hurricanes to incidents involving hazardous materials or nuclear power. The division prepares and implements a statewide Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, and routinely conducts extensive exercises to test state and county emergency response capabilities.

The division is the state's liaison with federal and local agencies on emergencies of all kinds. Division staff members provide technical assistance to local governments as they prepare emergency plans and procedures. They also conduct emergency operations training for state and local governmental agencies.

The division is administratively housed within the Executive Office of the Governor but is a separate budget entity.  The division's director is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Governor. The division comprises the director's office and six functional areas. 

• Financial Management is responsible for all financial management, travel, and procurement activities of the division. The sections within Financial Management include Budget, Disbursements, Financial Grants Management, Fiscal Program Management, and Procurement.
• Information Technology and Management is responsible for the division's Geographic Information System, technology operations, and web-based information platforms. In addition, the unit supports the application and data development functions necessary to build and sustain information management services for the division and State Emergency Response Teams.
• Mitigation seeks to reduce or eliminate the loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters. In service of this goal, the bureau administers Florida's Hurricane Loss Mitigation Program and federal mitigation grant programs including the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program, and Flood Mitigation Assistance Program. The bureau also updates the Enhanced State Hazard Mitigation Plan and supports local communities with their mitigation planning efforts.
• Preparedness administers a statewide emergency management all-hazards preparedness program. The sections within Preparedness include Grants, All-Hazard, Regional Evacuation Studies, and Training and Exercise.
• Recovery works to maximize disaster assistance to eligible public entities, individuals, and families through state and federal disaster assistance programs.
• Response coordinates state operational response activities among partner organizations that are active during emergencies and disasters. The sections within Response include Operations, Logistics, Infrastructure, Technological Hazards, and Regional Coordination Team.

As an extension of the State Emergency Operations Center, the Division of Emergency Management operates the State Watch Office. The office—staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year—monitors local, state, and national media, and communicates with Florida's counties and state agencies to ensure the State Emergency Response Team is aware of any ongoing or developing situations. In order to provide the state's population and emergency management agencies with timely information regarding developing emergency situations and ensure agencies can communicate emergency response decisions, the office maintains various communications systems and warning capabilities.

Natural Emergencies. The 2023 Legislature passed Ch. 2023-304, Laws of Florida, which includes the following changes that impact preparation and response activities when natural emergencies impact the state.

• Prioritized County Support. The law requires the Division of Emergency Management to prioritize technical assistance and training on preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation to financially constrained counties.
• Local Government Emergency Revolving Bridge Loan Program. The law converts the Local Government Emergency Bridge Loan Program to a revolving program and makes funds available for local governments impacted by federally declared disasters until July 1, 2038. For the 2023-24 fiscal year, the law appropriates $50 million of nonrecurring funds to the program.
• Safeguarding Tomorrow Through Ongoing Risk Mitigation Act Revolving Loan Program. The law requires the division to administer a revolving loan program for local government hazard mitigation projects. For the 2023-24 fiscal year, the law appropriates $11 million of nonrecurring funds to the program.

Nonprofit Security Grant Program. The 2023 Legislature also passed Ch. 2023-180, Laws of Florida, which creates the Nonprofit Security Grant Program in the Division of Emergency Management to award grants to nonprofit entities, including houses of worship and community centers, that are at high risk for violence and hate crimes, and were deemed eligible for but did not receive funding from the federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program.

Other Reports
Florida's Severe Weather Awareness Guide, Division of Emergency Management
What Should You Do If A Hurricane Threatens Your Community?, Division of Emergency Management
2022 Statewide Emergency Shelter Plan, Division of Emergency Management
A complete list of Auditor General reports is available on its website

Websites of Interest
Florida County Emergency Management Agencies
Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Domestic Security
Florida Department of Management Services, Emergency Support Function
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Active Weather Alerts
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency

Performance Information

Division of Emergency Management, 850-815-4000, Contact Form
Website