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Gov. Scott Issues Updates on State Action to Assist Puerto Rico

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Governor Rick Scott today visited the American Red Cross distribution warehouse in Orlando to thank volunteers for organizing donations to assist recovery efforts for Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. Governor Scott also spoke with Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rosselló today to discuss ongoing response and recovery efforts.
See below for more information on what the State of Florida is doing to support Puerto Rico: 
MILITARY SUPPORT

  • The Florida National Guard (FLNG) continues to monitor and provide support, as needed, to coordinate Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) force flow into Puerto Rico.
  • Over the weekend, the FLNG deployed a communications specialist from the 48th Civil Support Team to Puerto Rico to assist with stabilizing the response network.  This is in addition to the airman from the Florida Air National Guard is on the ground in San Juan directing the Joint Air Coordination Element (JACE).
  • Additionally, the FLNG is providing logistical support to the North Carolina National Guard which is preparing to ship vehicles out of Jacksonville to Puerto Rico via sealift. The 100-person unit will lodge at Camp Blanding Joint Training Center beginning October 5th until deployment.
  • The Florida National Guard is coordinating with the full-time Guardsmen as part of the 601st Air Operations Center at Tyndall Air Force Base. This organization, under the U.S. Air Forces North (AFNORTH), is coordinating all military airflow in the Joint Operations Area. They recently coordinated 29 military flights, which included water, meals, sandbags, health specialists, military police, vehicles and other humanitarian assistance supplies and personnel.

LAW ENFORCEMENT

  • The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) traveled to San Juan with Governor Scott last week and met with the Puerto Rico Department of Public Safety to discuss security concerns and needs.
  • FDLE has coordinated a request for 1,500 law enforcement officers that are standing by to deploy to Puerto Rico to supplement Puerto Rican law enforcement. These assets will come from across Florida, including state and local partners, and other states.
  • An eight-member incident management team is prepared to deploy to Puerto Rico this week to help assess law enforcement needs. The Florida Highway Patrol has two members on the incident management team and will have between 50-70 troopers available to respond immediately once needs are identified.
  • The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has identified volunteers from across the state that are part of the FWC Special Operations Group (SOG) to stand by for potential deployment. Many of these officers have recently deployed to assist with Hurricanes Harvey and Hurricane Irma response and recovery operations.
  • FWC has identified specialty equipment such as trucks, coastal and river patrol boats, ATVs and shallow draft boats to be considered for potential use as needed.

DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

  • At the direction of Governor Scott, three Disaster Relief Centers (DRCs) have opened at Orlando International Airport, Miami International Airport, and the Port of Miami for Puerto Rican families displaced by Hurricane Maria.
  • The following organizations will have staff on site: Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Children and Families, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Department of Health, Department of Economic Opportunity, American Red Cross and Catholic Charities (Orlando International Airport).
  • These partners will offer services such as help with registering for FEMA Individual Assistance, crisis counseling, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) information, assistance with unaccompanied minors and agency social services, assistance with animal services, medical attention and health concerns, employment information and training services, food and water resources, language guidance and spiritual care.
  • The hours of operation for these centers are 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., including weekends.
  • The State Emergency Response Team (SERT) is working closely with Puerto Rican officials to help identify, prioritize and affect Emergency Management Assistance Compact missions, allowing for the right resources and personnel from the continental U.S. to be appropriately leveraged in support of the response effort.
  • SERT has coordinated with private partners to secure three large transport vessels that have a combined passenger capacity of more than 7,500 individuals.
  • SERT is working with private cellular infrastructure repair and support companies to assist the Puerto Rico response effort and deploy personnel, repair equipment, trucks and fuel needed for critical communications infrastructure repairs.
  • SERT is identifying relief supplies for deployment. More than 2 million pounds of relief supplies are positioned in the Tampa Bay area for two large cargo aircraft transporting them to airports outside of San Juan. In addition, four hangars across the Tampa and Orlando areas are full of relief supplies are on standby for air transport.
  • Available relief supplies include 220 Florida Point of Distribution (POD) support packages which are used for the distribution of water, food, and supplies to the public, 50 6,000-gallon potable water tankers, 300 fork lifts, 10 kitchen support units, 10 shower/laundry facilities, 1,000 light towers, and 1,200 portable generators standing by for transport to Puerto Rico as needed. In addition, Lowe’s is currently transporting 30 trailers worth of portable generators to Homestead for transport to Puerto Rico.
  • SERT is working with utility partners at the State Emergency Operations Center to identify resources that may be offered to Puerto Rico. This includes personnel, repair equipment and expertise. Additionally, FPL has offered assessment teams that can quickly deploy and assist in determining critical infrastructure needs.
  • SERT is working with fuel industry partners to secure ships transporting fuel, fuel trucks and bilingual drivers to transport fuel to areas with the most critical need. Two fuel barges are on standby for deployment.
  • SERT, through the Florida Retail Federation, is coordinating with Florida’s major retailers in ensuring the availability and distribution of needed goods.
  • SERT coordinated with the Humane Society of the United States to support pet and animal shelters in San Juan. 

HEALTH AND MEDICAL

  • The state coordinated with Florida International University to host evacuees from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, 90 of which were dialysis patients, at Florida International University.
  • The state is currently on the list of Federal Coordinating Centers (FCCs) to accept patients if needed from Puerto Rico as recovery efforts continue. The Florida Department of Health (DOH) will stand ready to coordinate patient transport as needed.
  • DOH is providing education on available public health services at Disaster Relief Centers in South Florida and Orlando for Puerto Rican families displaced by Hurricane Maria.
  • The Agency for Health Care Administration will work with our federal partners to gather information on any waivers the Medicaid program would need to serve individuals from Puerto Rico. As always, the Medicaid program covers medically necessary services for children and families eligible for Medicaid.

TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC WORKS

  • The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is prepared to deploy a four-person team to assess infrastructure status and needs and coordinate further related deployments.
  • FDOT is working to fulfill a request from Puerto Rico to assist in evaluating the current status of traffic signals and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) field devices.
  • FDOT has been in communication with Puerto Rico’s Secretary of Transportation and Public Works regarding transportation needs.
  • The Governor has called on Florida port directors to prioritize and expedite the shipment of goods from across the country quickly to Puerto Rico and many ports have committed to stand ready to help move supplies through their facilities as quickly as possible.

VOLUNTEER FLORIDA

  • Volunteer Florida is providing information and resources to Floridians who want to make donations or volunteer at www.volunteerflorida.org.
  • Volunteer Florida is assisting with the opening of Disaster Relief Centers in South Florida and Orlando for Puerto Rican families displaced by Hurricane Maria and providing bi-lingual assistance for displaced families.
  • Volunteer Florida is coordinating with local volunteer United Way agencies and non-profit partners to provide referral information for transportation, lodging, food and water during transition.

EDUCATION

  • Florida school districts have processes in place to enroll K-12 students displaced by natural disasters, and all districts are prepared to enroll Puerto Rican evacuees. Families displaced by Hurricane Maria have begun arriving in Florida, and a number have already enrolled their students.
  • Commissioner Stewart will issue a summary of guidance to all districts and continue to work with school districts on additional issues as they arise.
  • The below Florida state colleges and universities are waiving out-of-state tuition and fees for students from Puerto Rico displaced by Hurricane Maria following a request by Governor Scott:
    • Broward College
    • Chipola College
    • College of Central Florida
    • Daytona State
    • Eastern Florida State College
    • Florida A&M University
    • Florida Atlantic University
    • Florida Gateway
    • Florida Gulf Coast University
    • Florida International University
    • Florida Keys Community College
    • Florida Southwestern State College
    • Florida State College at Jacksonville
    • Florida State University
    • Gulf Coast State College
    • Hillsborough Community College
    • Indian River State College
    • Lake Sumter
    • Miami Dade College
    • New College of Florida
    • North Florida Community College
    • Northwest Florida State College
    • Palm Beach State
    • Pasco-Hernando State College
    • Pensacola State College
    • Polk State College
    • Santa Fe College
    • Seminole State
    • South Florida State College
    • Johns River State College
    • Petersburg College
    • State College of Florida, Manatee–Sarasota
    • Tallahassee Community College
    • University of Central Florida
    • University of Florida
    • University of North Florida
    • University of South Florida
    • University of West Florida
    • Valencia College

Last week, at the request of Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rosselló, Governor Scott visited San Juan, Puerto Rico to help coordinate response and recovery efforts. On Friday, Governor Scott met with President Trump and Vice President Pence to discuss his trip to Puerto Rico and actions the State of Florida is taking to help with response and recovery. Governor Scott also hosted a call with Puerto Rican government officials and Florida state agency leaders last week to ensure the State of Florida is doing everything possible to help Puerto Rico recover.

Commissioner Adam Putnam Waives Rules to Help Puerto Ricans Evacuate with Pets

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In an effort to support the safe evacuation of Puerto Ricans and their pets, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam issued an emergency order suspending import paperwork requirements for pets that arrive in Florida with their evacuee owners. This emergency order does not apply to stray animals or livestock.
“Our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico face a long road to recovery, and they need all the support we can provide,” said Commissioner Adam H. Putnam. “By removing some of the hurdles for evacuees coming to Florida with companion pets, we’re making the process of evacuating to Florida easier.”
The following import requirements are temporarily suspended:

  • Rule 5C-3.002(1), F.A.C. – All animals OCVI/Health Certificates requirement;
  • Rule 5C-3.009(1) and (3), F.A.C. – Dogs and Cats OCVI/Health Certificates and rabies vaccination requirements; and
  • Rule 5C-3.0012(1), F.A.C. – Domestic Fowl OCVI/Health Certificates requirement.

For additional details on the emergency order, contact the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at 1-800-HELP-FLA.

Gov. Scott Declares State of Emergency for Hurricane Maria to Support Puerto Rico

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Governor Rick Scott today signed Executive Order 17-259 declaring a State of Emergency in all 67 Florida counties in response to Hurricane Maria’s catastrophic impact on Puerto Rico. This declaration will provide important resources and assistance needed to best accommodate the needs of families impacted by Hurricane Maria when they come to Florida. Families displaced by Hurricane Maria are already present and arriving in Florida and the state must do everything possible to effectively support the Puerto Rico response effort. Florida will continue to coordinate with FEMA to provide Maria survivors who have traveled to the state with important services such as housing assistance, crisis counseling, unemployment assistance and legal advice.
Governor Scott said, “Today, to ensure Florida has every available resource ready to assist families displaced by Hurricane Maria, I signed Executive Order 17-259, declaring a State of Emergency in all 67 Florida counties. Puerto Rico was totally devastated by Hurricane Maria and so many families lost everything. With families displaced by Hurricane Maria already present and still arriving in Florida, it is critical that our state is prepared to provide the resources they need upon entering our state.
“Our state is an incredible melting pot, and the success and growth we’ve seen over the years is credited to the wonderful people that live in Florida. As Puerto Rico rebuilds, Florida remains committed to doing everything we can to help the families impacted by Hurricane Maria and aid in the recovery process.”
To view Executive Order 17-259, click HERE.

Governor Rick Scott to Hold Media Availability Following Visit to Puerto Rico

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MEDIA ADVISORY

Today, September 28th, Governor Rick Scott will hold a media availability following his visit to Puerto Rico taken at the request of Governor Ricardo Rosselló. Earlier today, Governor Scott joined Governor Rosselló to assist in relief and recovery efforts from Hurricane Maria in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
WHAT: Media Availability
WHEN: Approx. 7PM
WHERE: Orlando Sanford International Airport
100 StarPort Way
Sanford, FL 32773

DSC offers assistance to students from Puerto Rico affected by Hurricane Maria

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Daytona State College is offering students from Puerto Rico whose families are recovering from Hurricane Maria in-state tuition for the academic year. This initiative is in response to Gov. Rick Scott’s call for Florida’s colleges and universities to provide tuition assistance to the students.
“Many Volusia and Flagler County residents know well the devastation wrought by hurricanes,” said DSC President Tom LoBasso. “While we, too, are still recovering from the effects of hurricanes Matthew and Irma, we are fortunate that our area did not receive the kind of direct hit from these storms that Puerto Rico did with Maria and the absolute destruction it left in its wake. We hope that adjusting the tuition for students from Puerto Rico will help mitigate their losses and inconvenience, and allow them to pursue or continue their programs of study.”
As an institution that serves primarily local and in-state students, DSC records show only a handful who list their permanent residence in Puerto Rico, said Dick Pastor, vice president of enrollment services.
The college also is assisting Florida students affected by Hurricane Irma. Over two dozen in-state students sustained damage or were displaced from their homes due to the storm, according to Vice President of Student Development Keith Kennedy. “We’ve been reaching out to these students as well,” he said. “Faculty are offering them grace periods for turning in assignments and referring the students to us. Additionally, our Center for Women and Men is providing books, uniforms, vouchers for laundry services, everything that can be done for each student based on his or her individual needs or circumstances.”
For assistance with the in-state tuition offer, DSC students and future students whose permanent residence is in Puerto Rico should contact Isabel Candelas at (386) 506-3062 or [email protected].
Local students impacted by Irma can contact Kennedy at (386) 506-3562 or [email protected].

Sen. Bill Nelson on situation in Puerto Rico

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Following is a statement from U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) on the situation in Puerto Rico:
“There is a crisis in Puerto Rico where food, fuel, water and medicine is sitting at the docks and not getting out to the remote parts of the island. The situation calls for an immediate response by the U.S. military to provide security and distribution to these remote areas.
“As was said after Hurricane Andrew: ‘Where the hell is the cavalry?’”

Gov. Scott: Florida Stands Ready to Help Puerto Rico Following Hurricane Maria

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Gov. Scott: Florida Stands Ready to Help Puerto Rico Following Hurricane Maria

Asks Florida State Colleges and Universities to Offer In-State Tuition to Students from Puerto Rico

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott reaffirmed Florida’s commitment to supporting Puerto Rico following the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria. The Governor has notified the Florida National Guard and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) to be on standby for deployment following an official request for assistance from Puerto Rico, and the Florida National Guard is already actively assisting Puerto Rico with organizing and submitting relief requests. Governor Scott is asking Florida state colleges and universities to allow students displaced by the storm in Puerto Rico to be offered in-state tuition. Governor Scott also spoke with FEMA Administrator Brock Long today and with Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello before the storm made landfall last week to let them know that Florida stands ready to assist in any way possible throughout the recovery process.

 Governor Scott said, “The heartbreak that our friends in Puerto Rico are enduring following this devastating storm is unimaginable and our prayers are with every family who calls this beautiful island their home. This morning, I spoke with Brock Long to let him know that Florida stands ready to assist Puerto Rico in any way we can. Today, I directed the Florida National Guard and FWC to be prepared for deployment as soon as we receive a formal request for assistance from Puerto Rico. I am also asking all Florida state colleges and universities to offer in-state tuition to any student who was displaced from their home in Puerto Rico to make sure we are doing everything we can to help these families. 

“We know how important it is to share resources with our friends and neighbors during these times, and I was able to speak with Governor Rossello last week to tell him that Florida will provide whatever resources are needed to help families in Puerto Rico rebuild. Last week, I also had the opportunity to meet with Puerto Rican evacuees at Florida International University’s shelter and I was moved by their stories of strength and their determination to quickly return to and repair their homes. Their resilience after this tragedy is an inspiration to us all and Florida is proud to stand with Puerto Rico during this challenging time.”

Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief Efforts

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Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief Efforts

Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce announces efforts to raise funds for Puerto Rico 

STATEWIDE –  The Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce today launched efforts to provide immediate relief to Puerto Rico for Hurricane Maria recovery through a charitable initiative called “Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief.”

“Our hearts go out to Puerto Rico as they face the catastrophic impacts of Hurricane Maria. The island’s entire 3.5 million population is without power, and many residents need immediate medical relief,” said Julio Fuentes, President and CEO of the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “It is important we do our part to help alleviate their pain and assist our fellow Americans as they recover and rebuild. Please visit www.prgives.org and make any monetary donation to help Puerto Rico.”

With a goal of raising $250,000 in disaster relief funds, donations will be directed toward emergency supplies such as bottled water, canned goods, dried foods, medication, pillows and blankets, shovels and hammers, and other necessary items. If you live in Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville or West Palm Beach and would like to drop off supplies please contact[email protected] for more information.

To make a donation, please visit www.prgives.org.