The Emergency Management Division is committed to reducing vulnerability to hazards and minimizing the impact of disasters through preparation, response, and recovery. Under the command of the Division Chief of Emergency Management, the Emergency Management Team contributes to various local, state, and federal committees, teams, and work groups in support of Homeland Security and a safer Palm Beach County. During non-storm/disaster periods (commonly referred to as blue sky time periods), the Emergency Management Division is busy developing and modifying response plans for the department as they relate to Severe Weather Events, Civil Disturbance, Command Team Activations, Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP), IAPs (Incident Action Plans) for large crowd gatherings throughout the county, and the CEMP (Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan) for Palm Beach County. Emergency Management works closely with Palm Beach County Directors of Public Safety, Emergency Management, and the Palm Beach Fusion Center to coordinate strategic intelligence and collaborate between organizations.
Emergency Services Branch
When the Palm Beach County Emergency Operation Center (EOC) is activated during emergencies, the Emergency Management Division of Fire Rescue assumes leadership and oversight of critical functions at Emergency Support Function (ESF) desks 4 (Firefighting) and 9 (Search and Rescue). Unit leaders are crucial in linking the county's EOC to field operations across various sectors, including schools, shelters, health care, EMS, and ensuring coordinated and effective responses to emergencies within the county. Each branch unit leader ensures the effectiveness of their unit's specific function, thereby enhancing the overall emergency response efforts in Palm Beach County. The Branch Director for alpha and bravo shifts at the EOC falls under the EM Coordinator's core responsibility.
Disaster Deployment Assistance
The Emergency Management Coordinator confirms that rosters for disaster deployment are current. This ensures that proper training is available and that fire rescue personnel are ready to respond to disasters outside Palm Beach County or even other states.
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue is the host agency for the Southeast Florida Regional All-Hazards Incident Management Team (AHIMT). The Department provides administrative, logistical, and financial support to the team, its members, and the tool and equipment cache. Emergency Management works closely with the team coordinators to process and maintain UASI grant-funded vehicles and equipment. The Emergency Management Division also collaborates closely with the Support Services Fleet Director to ensure that deployable assets are consistently held at the highest states of readiness.
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue serves as one of the county representatives for the 67 counties participating in the Florida Statewide Emergency Response Plan (SERP). Emergency Management also provides support for when a disaster strikes areas outside Palm Beach County and across the state. The Department coordinates closely with the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC), ensuring that we have strike team resources ready to be deployed to assist others in times of need as part of the Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement (SMAA), which underpins all mutual aid operations within the SERP.
Domestic Security Preparedness
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement administers seven Regional Domestic Security Task Forces (RDSTFs) as the foundation of Florida's domestic security structure. Task force members include first responders from fire rescue, emergency management, public health, hospitals, and law enforcement. PBCFR provides a multi-operational presence to the Southeast Florida RDSTF. By utilizing a multi-disciplinary approach and working with Emergency Management professionals, the RDSTF supports impacted communities and local agencies.
Training and Exercises
Emergency responses to large-scale incidents in PBC require a strong, unified command presence achieved through partnerships between law enforcement and fire rescue officials. PBCFR works with local, state, and federal agencies to ensure everyone is trained to respond to emergencies. This training includes drills at the local Emergency Operations Center, participation in active shooter drills, and regional hazardous material drills. The department annex on severe weather is comprehensive, and each year before hurricane season begins, the Emergency Management Division is busy preparing our plans and conducting exercises to ensure that the field operation is ready for any event. Training events and drills include exercising the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) for the department, deployment drills, Radiological Reception Site activities, social distortion tabletops, and coordinating mass gathering exercises.
