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Today, Governor Rick Scott visited the Walton County Emergency Operations Center in Defuniak Springs where he spoke with emergency management officials and law enforcement about Subtropical Storm Alberto.
Joined by CFO Jimmy Patronis, he discussed the importance of hurricane preparedness and the upcoming tax holiday this weekend. He also thanked the Walton County Emergency Operations Center staff for their hard work and dedication during the storm.
To view the video, CLICK HERE.
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Governor Rick Scott announced today that he will use his executive authority under Executive Orders 16-230 and 17-16 to allocate nearly $15.8 million in state funds for emergency beach restoration projects in response to the damage caused by Hurricane Matthew in St. Johns, Flagler, Volusia and Brevard Counties. Funding will be used to immediately address critically eroded beaches where there is an imminent threat to beachfront structures, such as roadways, homes and businesses.
Governor Scott said, “Hurricane Matthew was the most destructive storm our state has experienced in over a decade, and while communities have worked hard to rebuild, many of our beautiful beaches remain significantly damaged. Since this storm first crossed our state, we have been fully committed to using every available resource to help our families and communities recover, and we will continue to do so. Today, I am allocating $15 million in state funding to help expedite emergency restoration projects in order to repair our beaches and ensure beachfront roadways and buildings are prepared for any potential future storms.
“Florida’s beaches are not only an economic driver for coastal communities, but also provide critical storm protection and habitat for wildlife. With sea turtle nesting season beginning in May and hurricane season beginning in June, it is crucial that these projects are completed as soon as possible.”
Projects will include replacing sand along beaches and repairing and constructing sand dunes. The Governor’s proposed budget for 2017-2018, which will be announced later this month, will also include the remaining $61.2 million to fulfill the state’s share of needed restoration, for a total of $77 million, based on the latest hurricane damage assessment from both Hurricanes Matthew and Hermine.
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A diverse group of 40 health care, consumer, and business organizations, local providers, and industry leaders have joined the Save Our Air Medical Resources (S.O.A.R.) to protect and preserve access to emergency air medical services for communities across the country.
Emergency air medical transport by helicopter is a critical, life-saving service that millions of Americans across the country, especially those in rural areas, rely on to reach hospitals and trauma centers in emergency situations. In cases of strokes and other traumatic injuries, access to emergency air transport can mean the difference between life and death, and preserving a patient’s quality of life when proper care is administered as quickly as possible.
“Right now there is a fundamental problem that threatens the delivery of emergency air medical services, and we hope that in 2017 policymakers and stakeholders will take meaningful steps toward solutions,” said S.O.A.R. spokeswoman Amanda Thayer. “Insurance reimbursement shortfalls—by government insurance and in some cases by private insurers—as well as efforts by some to create more regulatory obstacles that would severely cripple the delivery of this critical health care service for patients in life threatening conditions need to be addressed.”
“Florida residents who live in rural areas need ready access to comprehensive medical facilities, which are often many miles away,” said Marilyn Mesh, M.Ed, M.Ac. manager for the Florida Rural Health Association. “Emergency air medical services help bridge this distance between rural communities and trauma centers and emergency rooms, and protecting these services is vital for the health and safety of rural communities across the state. We are proud to join the SOAR Campaign and look forward to finding solutions that protect and preserve these services for all communities.”
“We support the efforts of SOAR and its partners across the state and the nation to preserve emergency air medical services,” said Julio Fuentes, president/CEO of the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “Emergencies can happen to anyone at any time, and every community in America should have access to fast, high-quality health care and transport when disaster strikes.”
The full list of partner organization includes:
ABOUT S.O.A.R.
Save Our Air Medical Resources (S.O.A.R.) is a national campaign dedicated to preserving access to emergency air medical services for Americans across the country by providing important education and resources to the public and to key decision and policy makers. Air medical resources are a critical element of emergency response across the country, particularly for people living in rural areas where access to trauma care facilities is often quite limited.
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