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 five functional areas. 

• Financial Management is responsible for financial and administrative management of the division. Financial Management consists of the administrator's office and three sections. The administrator's office is solely responsible for human resource matters. The sections within Financial Management include the Budget, Finance, and Procurement sections.
• Mitigation seeks to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to human life and property from disasters. The bureau administers several mitigation programs including Florida's Hurricane Loss Mitigation Program and three federal mitigation grant programs, which includes the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program, and Flood Mitigation Assistance Program. The bureau also updates the State Hazard Mitigation Plan and supports local communities with their mitigation planning efforts.
• Preparedness administers a statewide emergency management all-hazards preparedness program that includes the following sections: Domestic Security Unit; Natural Hazards Unit; Technological Hazards Section; Training and Exercise Units. Bureau staff also serve as staff support to the State Emergency Response Commission, which administers the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act, Florida Hazardous Materials Emergency Response and Community Right-To-Know Act, and the Florida Accidental Release Prevention and Risk Management Planning Act.
• Recovery provides disaster assistance to individuals and families through state and federal disaster assistance programs.
• Response coordinates operational response at the state level. The bureau monitors events that could require a state response, establishes communication with affected areas, and provides logistical support to those areas. The bureau also provides technical assistance to local governments with locating, identifying, and retrofitting hurricane shelters.

The National Weather Service is the official source of hazardous weather warnings. In order to provide the affected population with adequate warnings, the division maintains a statewide technological communication capability through satellite and alternative systems and maintains continuous 24-hour staffing of the State Watch Office. This office serves as the central emergency reporting, situational awareness, and notification center.

Public Health Emergency Management. The 2021 Legislature enacted Chapter 2021-8, Laws of Florida, to minimize the negative effects of an extended emergency, such as a pandemic or another public health emergency. The law requires the Department of Health to create a state public health emergency plan and the Division of Emergency Management to incorporate that plan in the state's comprehensive emergency management plan. The division must maintain an inventory of state-owned personal protective equipment and include provisions in its statewide emergency shelter plan for physical distancing during a public health emergency. The law also

• provides additional transparency and legislative oversight of the executive branch's emergency powers;
• addresses local emergency orders for purported emergencies that infringe on the rights and liberties of Floridians;
• prohibits requirements of COVID-19 vaccination documentation to access, enter, or receive service from businesses, governmental entities, and educational institutions; and
• addresses the financial strain that emergencies place on state and local governments.

Emergency Reporting (Purple Alert). The 2021 Legislature enacted Chapter 2021-93, Laws of Florida, requiring the Division of Emergency Management to maintain an inventory of available digitally displayed automatic changeable facing signs capable of providing the immediate distribution of critical information to the public in times of declared emergency and regarding missing endangered persons.

Feasibility Analysis for Petroleum Distribution Centers, Report 18-PETRO, December 2018

Other Reports
A complete list of Auditor General reports is available on its website.

Florida's Severe Weather Awareness Guide, Division of Emergency Management.

What Should You Do If A Hurricane Threatens Your Community?, Division of Emergency Management.

2020 Statewide Emergency Shelter Plan, Division of Emergency Management, January 31, 2020.

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

Performance measures and standards for the department may be found in its Long Range Program Plan.

Chapter 252 and s. 14.2016, Florida Statutes.

Samantha Bequer, Interim Communications Director, Division of Emergency Management, 850-815-4133, email: samantha.bequer@em.myflorida.com

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