State of Emergency in Florida - Essay Example

FLORIDA QUICK RESPONSE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY Florida Quick response emergency management agency is established with the mission to ensure people living in Florida are prepared to respond to emergencies, recover from them and militate against their impacts. This emergency agency will operate in Florida that experience damages following storms or flooding that frequently affect the area. Among the past known storms are the 1992 Hurricane Andrew  and Hurricane Opal which is considered one of the ten costliest storms in the nation’s history. Quick response emergency management agency maintains the following departments: Coastal Retrofit that carry out mitigation programs to assist homeowners reinforce their dwellings against wind damage; Field service which maintains offices around the affected region where an area coordinator is stationed to act as liaison between the main office and the assigned area; Mitigation department is the other and function in prevention of damages and loss of life and belongings in future crisis. The fourth department deal with preparedness , a docket which undertakes all emergency planning and training programs advanced by the agency; The recovery department comes next and its role is to carry out the recovery operations that includes public assistance reimbursement. The response department which coordinates regional responses is the other department. This department responds to the various natural or manmade crisis through the central emergency operation centre; finally, the support service that handles all personnel and financial issues for the agency (Principles of emergency management, 2003). Area served/ Demographics; Quick response emergency management agency serves an area of 331 square miles with a population of about 1,337,000. This area includes a 17 mile coastline stretching 3 miles offshore 4, 6000 around the Florida region. This area is served by 47 operation centers with 30 being permanent lifeguard stations and 17 established as seasonal stations to serve during peak period. Employment information; The Quick response emergency management agency combine their emergency and homeland security full-time equivalent positions in the various regions it maintains. Presently the agency is advertising vacancy for the following posts; Emergency Management Specialist (4), Administrative, Office, Clerical (5), Legal Counsel (1) and Technology Related (1). Employment opportunities to interested persons; Ones eligibility to submit an employment application with the Quick response emergency management agency depends on whether he/she has received certification in the interested position. The required training can be obtained locally at Quick response emergency management collage or any other certified centre. Quick response emergency management agency for usually post advertisement for new employees as deemed necessary. Each application process takes between 1 to 3 weeks and is listed on the agency website under JOBS. Interested persons can only apply for their respective job positions upon receiving information on the advertised position. Eligibility for this jobs include: being 18 or more years of age, possessing a high school diploma or GED equivalent, having a Certificate of Compliance for emergency management, possessing an EMT and/or Paramedic Certificate from certified medical institutions and having a valid Driver License. Individuals who pass all these minimum qualification requirements get their names placed under eligibility list. The list is passed over to the fire and rescue department monthly and selected candidates called upon to complete the remaining screening process that include: Physical abilities test (medical certification is required prior to participation, Criminal background investigation, Polygraph examination, Must possess a Class E Driver License and an Oral interview(Principles of emergency management, 2003).. Organization structure The Director is appointed by the Governor of Florida, and serves as an agency head. The director oversees the day-to-day operations of the agency, including direct supervision of the functional areas tasked with Preparedness, Response, Recovery, Mitigation, and Finance and Administration. Quick response emergency management agency employees enjoys the following benefits; Automatic step raise  that is given on a yearly basis as par date of employment in the first four years and then every other year afterwards till the 14th year when it becomes annually again until the 17th year; Promotional opportunities; Service Raise that allows employees make gains of $20/month $ 240/ each year. Additionally the employees get, Personal Leave (Vacation and Sick Leave) of 21 days annually, Holidays of 15 days per year. Pension Benefits; Quick response emergency management agency maintains a pension Fund policy for its employees that has the following provisions: Employees may vest after 4 years, NO AGE LIMITATIONS TO RETIRE, retire after 15 years service at 50 percent of pay (last 2 years averaged, 2% multiplier annually after 15 years to 80% of pay (MAXIMUM) at 25 years, a 3% cost of living adjustment(COLA) yearly after retirement. Additional benefits are Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) and an advancement of a 75% deceased pension to a widow or widower. Emergency management agency holds different stations across the region of its operation. To effectively carry out its function of protecting the citizens of Sao Paulo this department uses a wide variety of apparatus/equipment. Flashlight(s) with extra batteries, Portable radio with extra batteries, NOAA Weather Radio, Non-perishable food for at least 3 days, Bottled water (1 gallon per person per day), First Aid Kit with prescription medications, Bedding and clothing for each family member, Blankets and towels, Plastic dishes/eating utensils, Rain Jackets/pants, Sun screen/sunglasses/mosquito repellant, Baby supplies (food, diapers, medication), Pet supplies (food, leash & carrier, vaccination records), Sanitary supplies, Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, cleanser, bleach, towelettes, toilet paper, trash bags, feminine hygiene products, Copies of important documents, Driver’s license, SS card, proof of residence, insurance policies, wills, deeds, birth and marriage certificates, tax records, medical records, family pictures, etc. Cash, enough to fill up your vehicle with gas and travelers checks, Emergency generator and Bicycle helmet (Emergency planning, 2003). In the FY 2013, Quick response emergency management agency recorded a 129,000 emergency volume, which included calls and emergency services. The calls Call Volume per Shift were as follow; nights-111859 swings 15188, days, 220.633. Based on statics the majority of the calls related to emergency medical services and was received during the nights. This is expected to increase with the present increase in population and technological advancements in the region. Currently the department is involved in measures that will realize its ability to respond to large call volumes from various incidences in the region. Budgeting; the agency expectations within the Department of Homeland Security in every fiscal year is a reflection of the Agency’s priorities as it manages the existing resources, enhance efficiencies, reduce redundancies, and focus on the programs that help fulfill its crucial emergency management role. Additional programs; Quick response emergency management agency engages in other helpful Services & Programs in addition to the emergency services. For instance, the community emergency Team (CERT) performs citizen training to establish volunteers who later become important resources for safety during disasters. Fire prevention Bureau is a vibrant docket under Bureau of disaster prevention and safety. This bureau performs more than 10,000 yearly inspections and provides fire code permits; create safety policies and directions for businesses and residents. It is also important to mention that more than 80% of the emergency calls handled by the department relates to the issues of medical aids. The emergency medical services offered to the people of Florida is an important part of the mission the Sao Paulo fire and rescue department holds dear. Additionally the agency coordinates the efforts of the Federal Government with other departments and agencies of state government, with county and municipal governments and school boards, and with private agencies that have a role in emergency management(Emergency planning, 2003).. Works Cited Design and implementation of the Federal Emergency Management Agencys Emergency Management Performance Grant. Washington, DC: Dept. of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General, 2011. Print. Emergency planning. (2003). Emmitsburg, Md.: U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Emergency Management Institute. Principles of emergency management. (2003). Washington, D.C.: Federal Emergency Management Agency. Read More