Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Cities offer aid after catastrophic damage from Hurricane Ian

by Joy Dickinson, Florida League of Cities

Hurricane Ian hit Florida in late September as a monstrous Category 4 hurricane that was one of the strongest storms to ever hit the United States. The hurricane was deadly and destructive and reached much of Florida, including both coasts. In addition to the loss of life, it left behind flooding, destroyed bridges, broken roads, downed power lines and internet service outages.

The hurricane left many Florida cities cut off and crippled. However, cities that had been spared quickly jumped into action to provide aid that ranged from removing debris and restoring power to flipping burgers to feed city staff.

Palm Beach Fire Rescue Firefighter Walter Arcila returns to base in a helicopter after delivering supplies to Pine Island.

Photo courtesy of Stephen Montoya

Here is just a sampling of how some cities responded:

Members of the Sarasota Police Department’s Emergency Response Team cooked three meals a day for officers with the North Port Police Department as well as civilian workers who were on rotating shifts. The team also took water and meals ready to eat. The police assisted with rescues and patrol calls, “helping however they can,” to allow City staff to take a break, according to the City.

“Hang in there,” the Police Department shared. “We’ll get through this together.”

A strike team from Palm Beach Fire Rescue went to Collier County to assist with post-hurricane recovery after their former Deputy Town Manager, Jay Boodheshwar, learned they were putting together a strike team. Boodheshwar is the City Manager of Naples. The team also assisted the City of Fort Myers. “We help each other out,” he told the Palm Beach Daily News. The flooding in Naples included about five feet of water in front of City Hall. It covered nine of the 10 steps leading to the first floor, Boodheshwar told the newspaper. At the time of the interview, he hadn’t been able to check on the condition of the home that he and his wife had purchased in Naples. He was “focused on the mission at hand,” he said.

Deputy Chief Scott Mayforth was one of the Sarasota Police Department staff members who cooked three meals a day for City of North Port police officers and civilians.

Photo courtesy of Sarasota Police Department

First responders from Task Force 8, which includes Gainesville Fire Rescue and Ocala Fire Rescue, traveled to the Fort Myers area to assist in recovery efforts. They specialize in urban search and rescue.

A hazmat strike team, including a large group from the Ocala Police Department, also traveled south to assist with recovery. The Police Department also deployed a hurricane response team to Hardee County along with a City of Dunnellon officer. This team conducted water search and rescue missions and reunited pets with their owners, including a 32-year-old macaw. Ocala Electric Utility (OEU) sent 10 employees to the City of Lakeland.

Gainesville Regional Utilities sent 10 lineworkers, a mechanic and a safety officer to the City of Bartow and sent three engineers to Lakeland. Bartow, which lost virtually all electrical power, had 190 mutual aid workers from several states assisting at one point, including tree crews and damage assessors.

Members of Gainesville Fire Rescue were deployed as part of Task Force 8.

Photo courtesy of City of Gainesville

The hurricane severely damaged the Fort Myers Beach Fire Department’s 911 dispatch center. The City of Miami Ambulance Strike Team helped by responding to hundreds of 911 calls and assisting with hospital evacuations.

The Hollywood Police Department sent officers and equipment to the City of Bonita Springs. The officers compiled supplies and sent several staff members to help law enforcement. They were part of about 130 law enforcement staff members sent by the Miami-Dade County Association of Chiefs of Police. There were 26 cities represented in that group.

Also, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, in his role as President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, worked with the Cities of Clearwater, North Port, Sarasota, Tampa and others to provide resources. Miami-Dade County also sent a task force to Tampa.

Members of the Ocala Police Department were able to reunite a 32-year-old macaw with its owner.

Photo courtesy of Ocala Police Department

The City of Coral Gables sent firefighters, paramedics and information technology personnel as well as a Mobile Command Center. This state-of-the-art facility allows public safety to coordinate responses in the field.

JEA, the City of Jacksonville’s utility, helped restore wastewater services to Sanibel Island. Also, the Jacksonville Fire & Rescue Department deployed a task force to Southwest Florida, where they found a 79-year-old man trapped under debris. The victim was rescued.

The City of Miami Ambulance Strike Team assisted the City of Fort Myers Beach with 911 calls.

Image courtesy of City of Miami Fire-Rescure

The Tallahassee/ Leon County Consolidated Dispatch Agency also sent team members to assist the City of Arcadia. Four Communications Operators, including a Certified Peer Support Counselor, assisted with 911 calls.

A team of 25 members of the Tallahassee Fire Department’s (TFD’s) Urban Search and Rescue Team went to the state’s West Coast. Other TFD members assisted with the State Emergency Operations Center and drone needs. City electric utility crews sent 21 staff members, trucks and machinery to help the Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC). The City’s Emergency Support Coordinator went to Hardee County to assist its Emergency Management team. An engineer from the Technology & Innovation Department deployed with Florida Task Force Two to offer communications support on Pine Island. The City’s Fleet Department and Tallahassee International Airport also provided support.

The City of Tallahassee’s Fire Department Urban Search and Rescue Team went to the state’s West Coast.

Photo courtesy of City of Tallahassee

“We stand with our neighbors to the south,” Mayor John Dailey said. “Our highly skilled crews will perform rescue operations and rebuild electric infrastructure. Through it all, they will demonstrate the professionalism and heart that Tallahassee is known for. To our fellow Floridians, stay strong. Help is on the way.”

Joy Dickinson is the Editor/Creative Project Manager for the Florida League of Cities.

Florida League of Cities Was Conduit

The Florida League of Cities (FLC) served as a conduit between cities and the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), which provided mutual aid for cities and counties. That aid included City Managers and staff in public works, IT and other specialized areas. The League also offered a webpage, flcities.com/disasterresources, with information, resources and contact information.

Cities Gather Supplies To Distribute

After Hurricane Ian caused devastation across Florida, several cities gathered donations to help those in need. The cities requested nonperishable food, water, cleaning supplies, bedding and linens, camping supplies, diapers, toys and hygiene items.

In the City of Doral, donations were dropped off at three city parks during the day. The donations were distributed by Global Empowerment Mission (GEM). “We received about eight full bins from the three Doral Parks,” said Maggie Santos, Communications Director for the City. Many of the items were immediately sorted and put into boxes for families, then sent to the City of Fort Myers.

Image courtesy of City of Doral