During the Dec. 5-7 Commission meeting in Gainesville, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) honored Lt. James Yetter with the agency’s Medal of Valor with Lifesaving for his actions during Hurricane Harvey response in Texas.
On Aug. 31, Lt. James Yetter and Officer Michael Graves were conducting waterborne rescue operations in Rose City, Texas after Hurricane Harvey. While traveling in flooded waters alongside Interstate 10, their boat engine failed, leaving them at the mercy of the strong current. The boat was quickly washed under the I-10 bridge toward a wooded area where it became pinned against trees and swiftly capsized. Yetter was successful in rapidly shedding his gun belt and waders; but Graves was already in waist-deep water, still wearing all his gear. Graves clung to a tree as the weight of his gun belt and heavy water-filled waders pulled at him in the current. People in another vessel attempted to rescue Graves, but the line broke and he was washed from the tree he was holding to another tree farther downcurrent. Graves continued fighting to keep his head above water as he grasped the tree.
Yetter recognized that Graves’ life was in danger. Without hesitation, he left the safety of the tree he was holding and fought his way to Graves’ location. Yetter grabbed Graves and helped him get to the upstream side of the tree, where he could establish a better grip. Yetter stayed with Graves, and helped him hang on until a Texas National Guard Helicopter Rescue Team arrived and pulled them both to safety.
Even though his actions risked his own life, Lt. Yetter did not stand idly by while his partner’s life was in danger.
“James’ actions that day were truly heroic. Had it not been for his quick thinking and courageous action, there may have been a much different outcome to the situation,” said Col. Curtis Brown, Director of FWC’s Division of Law Enforcement. “We are proud to honor his actions today with this award.”
Hurricane Harvey
UT STUDENTS HOST “FAIR-STYLE” HURRICANE FUNDRAISER ON WEDNESDAY
UT STUDENTS HOST “FAIR-STYLE” HURRICANE FUNDRAISER ON WEDNESDAY
Mechanical bull riding, other activities to encourage campus-wide donations
TAMPA — A fair-style fundraiser to support Hurricane Harvey, Irma and Maria disaster relief efforts — featuring a lighthearted nod to Texas with mechanical bull riding — will be held at UT on Wednesday, Sept. 27.
The event will be held in the courtyard behind the Vaughn Center from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. It is a student-coordinated event, sponsored by UT’s PEACE Volunteer Center, Student Productions and Student Government.
Additionally, approximately 20 student organizations will host activities to encourage students to donate to the effort.
All funds will be donated to the Red Cross, and physical donations will be collected by a local nonprofit.
Media is welcome to cover the event. Please contact the Office of Public Information and Publication, or the fundraiser organizers ([email protected]), with any questions.
CFO and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis Offers Full Florida Support to Texas Counterparts
Tuesday evening, CFO and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis spoke to Texas State Fire Marshal Chris Connealy with Texas’ Department of Insurance and offered the full support and resources of Florida’s fire service community to assist with Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts.
“Even in the heart of a devastating situation, Fire Marshal Connealy remains optimistic about recovery efforts thus far, and was grateful for the support of Florida and other states as Texas begins to pick up the pieces following the worst storm in recent memory,” said CFO Patronis. “We know recovery is measured not in days or weeks, but in months and even years, and we’re prepared to support Texas recovery efforts for the long haul.”
As waters slowly start to recede in Texas, CFO Patronis is also offering the full resources of Florida’s experienced insurance fraud investigators, who are trained to combat scams that are common following natural disasters, such as rampant unlicensed contracting and fake FEMA representatives who attempt to charge for assistance with the filing of federal flood insurance claims.
“After disaster, families should be free to focus on their health and safety, without worrying about the possibility of scammers wanting to take even more away from them than what they’ve already lost,” said CFO Patronis. “Our investigators have years of experience dealing with these types of opportunistic scammers, and we know how to track them and take them down. As the next phases of recovery come into focus, we stand ready to put more boots on the ground.”
Additionally, CFO Patronis and Fire Marshal Connealy forged a partnership to allow Florida officials to participate in Texas’ future after-action activities. This partnership will offer Florida a unique opportunity to learn valuable information about successful disaster recovery strategies and strategies that could be improved upon for future storms.
“Hurricane Harvey could easily have hit Florida’s shores, and I believe there’s much that can be learned from our Texas counterparts. I thank Texas officials for offering Florida a seat at the table to learn, to share best practices, and to improve upon our own Florida strategies ahead of the next storm.”
FWC Officers Rescue More Than 200 Texans
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers are continuing to actively assist with disaster response efforts in the Houston area today. FWC officers have rescued more than 200 Texans since arriving in the area after being deployed by Governor Scott in response to Texas’ request for emergency assistance. Nearly 125 FWC officers, more than 40 boats, 17 high water vehicles, two Mobile Command Centers, and eight shallow draft vessels are currently in Texas to support ongoing search and rescue and disaster response efforts.
Ahead of UF-Michigan game in Dallas, UF president urges Gator family to help Hurricane Harvey victims
As residents of coastal Texas continued to grapple with widespread catastrophic flooding and other impacts from Hurricane Harvey, University of Florida President Kent Fuchs today urged the UF community to offer storm victims much-needed assistance.
Fuchs made the appeal as the Gators football team prepares to play its season opener in Dallas on Saturday against the University of Michigan.
Harvey, now a tropical storm, made landfall Friday near Corpus Christi as a Category 4 storm and has inundated Houston with unprecedented rainfall. Some predictions call for the area to receive up to 50 inches by the time the storm leaves the area later this week.
Among those affected are 27 UF Online students, including eight in the counties declared federal disaster areas, and potentially the families of nearly 500 UF students who call Texas home.
In keeping with the wishes of governmental and emergency officials in the areas hit hardest, Fuchs encouraged Gators to make financial contributions to the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army.
“It is so important to remember during difficult times that while we embrace competition on the field, we all become one team whose goal is to help one another,” Fuchs said. “Today, we are all Texans. That’s truly what the Gator Good is all about.”
Attorney General Bondi Warns of Disaster-Relief Charity Scams Following Harvey
As Texas continues to feel the devastating effects of Hurricane Harvey, Attorney General Pam Bondi is asking Floridians who want to help to use caution when donating. Scammers will often use natural disasters to prey on the good intentions of others, but there are steps consumers can take to protect against charity-related scams.
“As Floridians, we know all too well the destruction a massive hurricane can cause and how vital charitable donations are in helping communities recover—but before you give, please take steps to ensure your donation will be used to help the victims of Hurricane Harvey, not a scammer exploiting the goodwill of Floridians,” said Attorney General Bondi.
Anyone wishing to donate can follow these tips to make sure gifts are used to help victims and Texas communities recover from Harvey:
- Be proactive and donate to a reputable charity, rather than wait to be solicited;
- When giving, consider donating to an established disaster-relief charity, such as RedCross.org;
- Research a charity by using Charity Navigator and by contacting the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to determine whether the charity is registered to solicit donations in Florida;
- Avoid solicitors using high-pressure tactics or hesitant to provide more information about a charitable organization;
- If donating online at a fundraising site, be sure to confirm the identity of the recipient and be careful when providing any personal contact information; and
- Contact the Attorney General’s Office at (866) 9-NO-SCAM or call the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance at (703) 276-0100 to determine if there are any complaints against a charity.
For more information about charity scams and tips to avoid such scams, Attorney General Bondi urges consumers to review the Attorney General’s Hurricane Preparedness Guide.
Consumers who believe they have been a victim of a scam or other fraudulent activity may file a complaint by calling (866) 9-NO-SCAM or by visiting MyFloridaLegal.com.
In Wake of Hurricane Harvey, Consumers Should Research Charities Before Giving
In the wake of Hurricane Harvey and historic flooding across southeast Texas, Commissioner Adam H. Putnam encourages Floridians to visit FloridaConsumerHelp.com to research charitable organizations before donating money to help those in need.
“Our hearts go out to the people of Texas, and I hope that Floridians can respond with the same generosity that our state has received time and time again,” Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam said. “But before giving your hard-earned money, I encourage Floridians to do their research, as fraudulent charities may be created to take advantage of people’s empathy and generosity.”
Most charitable organizations that are located in Florida or soliciting donations within Florida are required to register with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services prior to soliciting contributions. Charitable organizations not located in Florida or soliciting donations in Florida are not required to register with the department.
Consumers can help protect themselves from charity-related scams by:
- Checking to see if a charitable organization is registered with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services by visiting FloridaConsumerHelp.com;
- Asking questions, such as: “Who is the fundraiser and who will benefit from the donation?”; “How much of the contribution goes to the charity mentioned in the request”; and “How much of the donation goes toward administrative and fundraising expenses?”;
- Researching the charitable organization at FloridaConsumerHelp.com to see how much of a donation will go toward the individuals the charity intends to help versus operating expenses;
- Reading the Gift Giver’s Guide by clicking here; and
- Reporting any suspicious charitable solicitations by calling 1-800-HELP-FLA (1-800-435-7352) or, for Spanish speakers, 1-800-FL-AYUDA (352-9832).
Gov. Scott Thanks Florida Volunteers Responding to Harvey
Also Encourages Florida Businesses with
Resources to Help Families Impacted by Storm
Governor Rick Scott today thanked Florida volunteer organizations responding to the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey. Members of the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and Florida Baptist Convention have dedicated resources to help families impacted by the storm. Volunteer Florida is working collaboratively with officials in Texas to coordinate volunteer efforts from Florida.
Governor Scott said, “Following a disaster like Hurricane Harvey, the response of volunteer organizations like the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and Florida Baptist Convention are so important to supporting impacted families. We’re proud of all of the volunteers from Florida responding to this disaster and helping families during this terribly difficult time. I encourage Florida businesses and families who would like to donate to Hurricane Harvey relief efforts to contact reputable charitable organizations helping those in need. We will remain in contact with emergency management officials in Texas and do all we can to support the ongoing recovery and response efforts.”
Current Florida-based volunteer efforts from the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and Florida Baptist Convention are as follows:
- The American Red Cross has deployed 16 staff to impacted areas;
- Volunteers with the Salvation Army have two shower trailers, two bunkhouses, one generator and 12 staff staged in Baton Rouge; and
- Volunteers from Florida Baptist Convention have feeding and chainsaw teams on stand-by for deployment to Texas.
