the Florida Division of Emergency Management requested additional Incident
Management Teams. ODF stepped up to fill this request, working with Oregon’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM), and
sending a third team to assist with relief and recovery efforts.
As with recent deployments, this request was coordinated through the
Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). The EMAC provides mutual
assistance among states and territories during any governor-declared state of
emergency through a responsive system. This structure allows states to send
personnel, equipment, and supplies to assist with response and relief efforts
in other states.
This ODF Team, led by Incident Commander Link Smith, arrived in Tallahassee,
Fla. Nov. 6, where they received an in-briefing from the Florida
National Guard at the Tallahassee Base Camp. Their current mission is to assist
with oversight of the Base Camp located in Marianna, Fla., in the heart of the
destruction zone. Their assignment includes ensuring the safety and welfare of
Base Camp and coordination of communication efforts.
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| ODF IMT (Smith) at Base Camp in Mariana, FL reunited with Florida PIO who was deployed to Oregon during the 2018 Fire Season. |
ODF Agency Representative Dennis Lee mobilized with the team to oversee
coordination of both of the ODF teams currently deployed in Florida. “The
magnitude of destruction here is difficult to convey for those back at home,”
Lee said. “Along with the devastation of so many homes and buildings, the sheer
volume of what I would refer to as near-deforestation is somewhat unreal.
Despite all of this, life goes on for everyone here and the resiliency of the
local residents is truly inspiring. We are honored to be here to do our part in
helping our Florida friends put the pieces back together.”
While ODF utilizes the EMAC most often during fire season, agency Incident
Management Teams maintain All-Hazard qualifications to ensure capacity for
potential disaster relief needs. ODF’s complete and coordinated fire
suppression system relies on strong partnerships with other agencies, states
and even countries, offering reciprocal assistance in times of need.