Laserfiche WebLink
CONSENT <br />INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA <br />MEMORANDUM <br />TO: Honorable Board of County Commissioners <br />THROUGH: Joseph A. Baird, County Administrator <br />FROM: John King, Director <br />Department of Emere y Se ces <br />DATE: May 27, 2016 <br />SUBJECT: Florida Statewide Emergency Alert and Notification System <br />It is respectfully requested that the information contained herein be given formal consideration by the <br />Board of County Commissioners at the next scheduled meeting. <br />DESCRIPTION AND CONDITIONS: <br />The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) is seeking to develop the Florida <br />Statewide Emergency Alert and Notification System. Staff is recommending the Board enter into a <br />Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the FDEM and Indian River County to enhance the <br />statewide alert and mass notification to the state's population (both permanent and transient) of a <br />threat posed by an imminent or sudden emergency through the use of: <br />• Voice telephone calls; <br />• Text messages; <br />• Emails; <br />• Social media; and, <br />• Telecommunications devices for the deaf <br />Although Indian River County is one of the political subdivisions within the State that possess an <br />emergency notification and alert system, there are interoperability gaps that exist for the FDEM to <br />exercise Emergency Alert System (EAS) messages and National Weather Service (NWS) warnings. <br />The Florida Legislature recognized these gaps and enacted Section 252.35 (2) (a) 6 Florida Statute <br />(2015) requiring the FDEM to "establish a system of communication and warning to ensure that the <br />state's population and emergency management agencies are warned of developing emergency <br />situations and can communicate emergency response decisions." <br />FUNDING: <br />There is no cost to the Board of County Commissioners with regard to this item. <br />47 <br />