It is 100 percent the responsibility of health care professionals to preserve life by acting in the best interest of the health and well-being of their patients. Let’s be clear – this facility is located across the street from one of Florida’s largest hospitals, which never lost power and had fully operating facilities. The tragic and senseless loss at Hollywood Hills Rehabilitation Center is the subject of a criminal homicide investigation by law enforcement.
Gov. Scott Directs DBPR to Make it Easier for Floridians to Rebuild Following Hurricane Irma
Governor Rick Scott directed Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s (DBPR) Secretary Jonathan Zachem to suspend certain regulations and fees that may prevent, hinder or delay necessary response and recovery efforts from Hurricane Irma. This order applies to all counties identified in the Major Disaster Declaration and will help Floridians more quickly repair and rebuild their homes and businesses. To view the Emergency Order, click HERE.
Governor Scott said, “Right now, families across the state are beginning the challenging process of repairing and rebuilding their homes and businesses after the impact of this massive storm. It is incredibly important that we do all we can to make it easier for these families to quickly and safely recover, which is why I have directed DBPR to take immediate action to suspend certain regulations that would hinder or delay recovery efforts. We will continue to work closely with our communities across the state to make sure they have all they need to help Florida fully rebuild and recover from Hurricane Irma.”
Secretary Jonathan Zachem said, “Many Floridians have been adversely impacted by Hurricane Irma. Under Governor Scott’s leadership, the Department is working to suspend burdensome regulations and provide the resources needed during this difficult time to help quickly repair and rebuild.”
The Emergency Order allows licensed general, building, and residential contractors to perform roofing repair and installation and also permits local governments to authorize local and specialty contracting licenses for individuals and businesses that are already licensed in jurisdictions throughout Florida so they can perform roofing repair and installation in impacted areas. This will allow areas of the state most affected by Hurricane Irma to be flexible and assist Floridians with immediate restoration during this difficult time. Florida’s high building standards and safety requirements will not be affected. Lastly, the order waives all Department fees for occupational or professional businesses who must relocate or reopen because of damage caused by Irma and its effects.
The Emergency Order will correspond with the effective dates of Governor Scott’s Executive Order 17-235 and any extensions thereof.
DBPR Secretary to Host Virtual Town Hall
MEDIA ADVISORY
Monday, September 18th, Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s (DBPR) Secretary Jonathan Zachem will host a virtual town hall to discuss unlicensed activity awareness and the department’s efforts following Hurricane Irma.
WHAT: DBPR Virtual Town Hall
WHEN: 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM
NOTE: Please register for the Town Hall Meeting here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Commissioner Adam Putnam Issues Emergency Order
Commissioner Adam H. Putnam Issues Emergency Order Waiving Fee to Replace
Concealed Weapon and Security Guard Licenses Damaged or Lost in Hurricane
In the wake of Hurricane Irma, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today issued an emergency order to waive the fees to replace Florida concealed weapon licenses and security guard licenses that were lost or destroyed during the hurricane.
“Hurricane Irma devastated Florida, and the last thing someone needs to worry about is paying a fee to have their concealed weapon license or security guard license replaced,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam.
Consumers who wish to request a replacement concealed weapon or security guard license must submit a statement to the department explaining that their license was lost, damaged or stolen. This statement must be notarized.
Requests for replacement concealed weapon licenses should be mailed to: The Division of Licensing, P.O. Box 6387, Tallahassee, Fla., 32314-6387. Requests for replacement security guard licenses should be mailed to: The Division of Licensing, P.O. Box 5767, Tallahassee, Fla., 32314-5767.
For more information on Florida concealed weapon and security guard licenses, visit FreshFromFlorida.com/CWL.
Florida Polytechnic University Classes Resume Monday
Florida Polytechnic University classes will resume on Monday, September 18. The University received only minimal damage from Hurricane Irma, and power has been restored.
“We understand this storm has had a massive impact throughout the state. It is our continued hope that our students, faculty and staff remain safe,” said Maggie Mariucci, Director of External Affairs. “We are addressing the minimal damage and look forward to having everyone back on campus Monday.”
Florida Poly school officials are thankful for the help of local and state officials in their campus recovery efforts. Students should continue to check their email, University social media channels and Blackboard Connect (My Poly Alert) for any storm-related updates.
Assisted living facilities, nursing homes and hospitals are receiving frequent wellness checks
Before, during and following Hurricane Irma, health care facilities throughout Florida have been implementing emergency plans to keep patients safe. The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration and the Florida Department of Health is conducting frequent and vigorous outreach to facilities every day, which includes daily calls with hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities. In-person wellness checks are being conducted for facilities when contact cannot be made or any facility that reports distress. All facilities are being directed to contact 911 if patients are in jeopardy. AHCA is staffing the facility hotline 24 hours a day at 1-888-419-3456. Both AHCA and DOH are working around the clock to ensure all ALFs, nursing homes and hospitals have the resources they need.
Health care facilities have been provided with multiple pathways to communicate their needs with state officials and local emergency officials. This includes convening daily calls with facilities in advance of, during and after the storm. Reporting includes the online facility reporting database, FLHealthSTAT. These multiple mechanisms allow health care facilities to communicate needs to state emergency officials, including power outages, generator availability, fuel needs, spot coolers, ice and any other needs.
Hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities in Florida are required to have emergency operation plans. Requirements vary by facility type, but are all based in statute and rule. A complete list is available here. Hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities are required to submit and receive approval for their plans from either the county emergency management or local county health department (this varies among counties and/or facility type).
Facilities that are not regulated by the state, such as retirement communities, are advised to call local emergency management or 911 if you are in need of support.
Power restoration remains a top priority for the state, particularly for facilities that serve vulnerable populations. As of this morning, more than 70% of power in the state has been restored.
STATUS AS OF 1 PM FRIDAY, SEPT. 15
Assisted Living Facilities:
193 are utilizing generators
1,978 have power
182 have reported as being closed
177 have reported post-storm evacuations
Nursing Homes:
34 are utilizing generators
669 have power
10 have reported being closed
40 have reported post-storm evacuations
Hospitals:
2 are utilizing generators
299 have power
8 have reported being closed
7 have reported post-storm evacuations
Nelson urges financial companies to waive fees and penalties Hurricane Irma victims
Sen. Bill Nelson urged leaders of a dozen financial companies to provide a moratorium on late fees and other penalties for Floridians affected by Hurricane Irma.
Following is the text of the letter sent yesterday to the companies:
September 14, 2017
Mr. Kenneth Chenault
Chairman and CEO
American Express Company
American Express Tower, 200 Vesey Street
New York, NY 10285
Dear Mr. Chenault
As you know, Florida is beginning to come back from the depths of Hurricane Irma, a monster storm that swallowed much of the state, flooding neighborhoods and knocking out power for millions of people.
As we begin the recovery process, it’s important that consumers not be saddled with late fees and other unnecessary costs—particularly those without the means to deal with such costs. Therefore, I ask that you provide a 60-day moratorium on late fees, interest accrual, penalties, and any other unnecessary costs, to give people time to recover and get back on their feet.
I’ve been heartened by the many stories of Floridians helping Floridians as I crisscross the state and survey the damage. I ask that you follow their example and do all you can to ease the burden on those suffering from the storm. Now is the time to lend a helping hand to your fellow Americans—to help them meet their immediate needs without the added stress of excessive financial demands.
I look forward to hearing your response to this request and stand ready to work with you to serve the people of Florida. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
DSC to reopen and resume classes Monday, 9/18
Daytona State College will resume operations, activities and classes – including online – on Monday, Sept. 18, as regularly scheduled on all campuses.
College instructors and staff will work with students impacted by the storm to help them catch up on work missed during the college closure. Any students or employees still without power are welcome to use the college’s fitness center showers at the Daytona Beach Campus Lemerand Center. The Center for Women and Men can also assist students in need with snacks from the food pantry and other possible support.
For further updates, the DSC helpline is available: 386-506-4357.
FEMA/NFIP Announce Enhanced Claims Filing Process for Flood Insurance Policyholders Affected by Hurricane Irma
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation is sharing guidance issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) addressing the claims process for its National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policyholders affected by Hurricane Irma. Five bulletins were issued on September 12th to applicable insurance companies and insurance adjusters with information on a variety of subjects.
A summary of the applicable information and links to each bulletin are provided below:
- Proof of Loss (POL) Waiver/Extension (Applicable to Standard Flood Insurance Policies) – The POL is waived for the initial claim payment. However, if the policyholder disputes the payment or submits a request for additional payment, they must file a POL with supporting documentation by one year from the date of loss.
- Advance Payments (Applicable to Standard Flood Insurance Policies) – The policyholder can request an advance payment of up to $5,000 for covered flood damages prior to the adjuster’s inspection. The policyholder may also request up to $20,000 prior to the adjuster’s inspection if they provide photographs along with receipts or canceled checks verifying covered out-of-pocket expenses or their contractor’s estimate of covered damages. After the adjuster’s inspection, the policyholder may request a larger advance payment of up to 50% of their contractor’s estimate of covered repairs.
- Enhanced Claim-Handling for Prior Loss and Contents Claims (Applicable to the Standard Flood Insurance Policy Dwelling Form Only) – The adjuster may group personal property by category. Also, where there is evidence of completed repairs to damage from prior flood losses, the NFIP is not requiring the adjuster to obtain the prior loss claim file before adjusting the claim.
- Extension of the Grace Period for Payment of NFIP Premiums – The 30-day grace period for premium receipt is changed to 120 days for policies expiring within a specified date range. Please review the bulletin for further details.
- Enhanced Claim-Handling Process for Building Losses Insured (Applicable to the Standard Flood Insurance Policy Dwelling Form & Group Flood Insurance Policies)– The adjuster may use a building valuation loss adjustment to support a large advance payment or if the policy limit is exceeded, conclude the claim in a timely manner.
For more information on the NFIP, visit their webpage. For additional resources, visit the Office’s “Flood Insurance Resources” webpage.
Palm Harbor woman claims $1 million prize in $10,000,000 FORTUNE Scratch-Off game
The Florida Lottery announces that Toni Tartaglione, 67, of Palm Harbor, claimed a $1 million prize in the $10,000,000 FORTUNE Scratch-Off game at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. She chose to receive her winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $792,000.00.
Tartaglione purchased her winning ticket from Publix, located at 35439 U.S. Highway 19 North in Palm Harbor. The retailer will receive a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning Scratch-Off ticket.
The $25 Scratch-Off game, $10,000,000 FORTUNE, launched in February 2016, and features more than $623 million in total cash prizes, including 46 prizes of $1 million and four prizes of $10 million. The game’s overall odds of winning are one-in-2.88.
Scratch-Off games are an important part of the Lottery’s portfolio of games, comprising approximately 65 percent of ticket sales and generating more than $734 million for the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF) in fiscal year 2015-16.
