News

FDLE responds to Hurricane Ian

 
For Immediate Release
September 2022

10/7/22
  • FDLE’s mutual aid team is coordinating the deployment of more than 1,300 law enforcement officers statewide from more than 80 agencies.
  • FDLE’s mutual aid team is supporting more than 300 hurricane response missions.
  • FDLE’s second wave teams are deployed in Lee and Charlotte counties.
  • FDLE’s regional law enforcement coordinating teams in FDLE’s Fort Myers Regional Operations Center continues coordinating local and state law enforcement missions in the impacted areas, and coordinating with retailers to bring goods and supplies to the impacted areas through law enforcement check points.

10/6/22
  • FDLE’s mutual aid team is coordinating the deployment of more than 1,300 law enforcement officers statewide from more than 100 agencies.
  • FDLE’s mutual aid team is supporting more than 200 hurricane response missions.
  • FDLE’s second wave deployment teams have arrived in Lee and Charlotte counties.  

10/5/22
  • FDLE’s mutual aid team is coordinating the deployment of more than 1,493 law enforcement officers statewide from more than 70 agencies.
  • FDLE’s mutual aid team is supporting 272 hurricane response missions.
  • FDLE is stationed at the local emergency operations centers in Lee, Charlotte and Hardee Counties, and continuing to operate the FDLE regional law enforcement coordination teams in our Fort Myers Regional Operations Center coordinating local and state law enforcement missions in the impacted areas.

10/4/22
  • FDLE’s mutual aid team is coordinating the deployment of more than 1,631 law enforcement officers statewide from more than 70 agencies.
  • FDLE’s mutual aid team is supporting 248 hurricane response missions.
  • FDLE is preparing for a second wave of law enforcement deployments relieving those who have been deployed since last week. 
  • FDLE is establishing an additional base camp in Lee County providing housing, food, showers and laundry services are available for U.S. Coast Guard members deployed in post hurricane response.

10/3/22
  • FDLE’s mutual aid team is coordinating the deployment of more than 1,400 law enforcement officers statewide from 66 agencies.
  • FDLE’s mutual aid team are supporting 214 hurricane response missions.
  • FDLE established telephone lines for Fort Myers regional law enforcement coordination team.
  • FDLE’s Fort Myers forensic scientists are assisting in identifying unidentified deceased though fingerprint identification.

10/2/22 
  • FDLE staging areas are open in Southwest Florida and Hardee County at the Lee County Sports Complex, Weigh Station Mile Marker 161 in Charlotte County and in Hardee, at the Civic Center in Wauchula.  All deployed law enforcement officers in these areas should check in at one of these staging areas for work assignments. 
  • FDLE’s mutual aid team is coordinating the deployment of more than 1,200 law enforcement officers statewide from more than 50 agencies.
  • FDLE’s mutual aid team are supporting 185 hurricane response missions.
  • More than 100 FDLE agents are deployed in Southwest Florida assisting with traffic control, security needs and law enforcement check-ins. 
  • Florida’s State Law Enforcement Radio System is fully operational.
  • FDLE forensic scientists in the FDLE Fort Myers Regional Operations Center have verified that all evidence is safe and secured.

10/1/22
  • FDLE’s mutual aid team is coordinating the deployment of more than 1,000 law enforcement officers statewide from more than 30 agencies.
  • FDLE’s base camp in Lee County is fully operational serving first responders deployed to the area.  Base camps include meal service, sleeping quarters, showers, laundry and restroom facilities. 
  • More than 100 FDLE agents are deployed in Southwest Florida assisting with traffic control, security needs and law enforcement check-ins. 

9/30/22 Update
  • FDLE is establishing three first responder base camps in Lee and Charlotte counties to handle the hundreds of first responders deployed to the hardest hit areas from Hurricane Ian. Base camps include meal service, sleeping quarters, showers, laundry and restroom facilities.
  • FDLE is coordinating with loridaFlorida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for the deployment of boats and high-water vehicles for search and rescue and cleanup missions in southwest Florida.
  • FDLE’S fuel and staging sites in Charlotte and Lee counties are fully operational.
  • FDLE is supporting patrol and traffic enforcement missions in Lee and Charlotte counties.
  • FDLE’s Tampa Bay regional law enforcement teams are providing logistics support in Hardee County.
  • FDLE’s mutual aid team is coordinating the work of 857 officers from 27 agencies.
  • FDLE mutual aid teams are supporting 138 hurricane response missions. 

9/30/22
  • FDLE regional law enforcement coordinating teams are working with local sheriff’s departments to enforce curfews in Lee and Charlotte counties.
  • FDLE is coordinating with Florida Highway Patrol and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on search and rescue and cleanup missions in the Tampa Bay Region.
  • FDLE continues to work with Florida’s Medical Examiners Commission (MEC) to verify the number of hurricane-related deaths.
  • FDLE’s mutual aid team is coordinating search and rescue missions in Hardee County in the flooded areas around the Peace River. This task is one of 122 active law enforcement missions the agency is coordinating.

9/29/22 Update
  • FDLE’s mutual aid team is coordinating search and rescue missions in Hardee County in the flooded areas around the Peace River. This task is one of 80 active law enforcement missions.
  • FDLE is working with cell phone companies to restore law enforcement radio and cellular communications. 
  • FDLE is working with local law enforcement agencies, the Florida Sheriffs Association and the Florida Police Chiefs Association to schedule additional law enforcement patrols in areas impacted by Hurricane Ian. 
  • FDLE’s Fort Myers regional law enforcement coordinating team is operational and being supported by logistics and other teams from various parts of the state.
  • Florida’s Medical Examiners Commission (MEC) staff has contacted all of the medical examiners across the state.

9/29/22
  • FDLE’s mutual aid team is coordinating Florida’s law enforcement response with 60 missions including deployment of first responders and logistical support.  Life-saving missions are the first priority.  FDLE is working with Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Department of Financial Services, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and all of our state law enforcement partners at the State Emergency Operations Center and in the impacted FDLE regions. 
  • FDLE response teams from Miami-Dade, Broward, Escambia and Leon counties began deploying at 5 a.m. to the impacted areas to participate in a multi-agency hurricane response. The multi-agency effort includes search and rescue, emergency communications, temporary housing and motor vehicle and marine fueling stations to support the relief effort.
  • FDLE’s Watch Desk continues to field dozens of emergency calls from citizens.
  • FDLE is setting up an emergency law enforcement communication system in southwest Florida as part of the post-hurricane operation.
  • FDLE regional operations centers in Fort Myers and Tampa Bay have established staging and temporary housing sites in Sarasota, Lee, Orange and Marion counties to manage and support post-hurricane operations for law enforcement and first responders. 
  • FDLE’s mutual aid team is supporting Florida Digital Services to reestablish internet in impacted areas and monitoring for potential criminal activity.   

9/28/22
  • FDLE’s mutual aid team is coordinating Florida’s law enforcement response with 34 missions including setting up fuel stations and staging locations.  FDLE is working with Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Department of Financial Services and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at the State Emergency Operations Center and in the impacted FDLE regions. 
  • FDLE regional operations centers in Fort Myers and Tampa Bay have designated staging and temporary housing sites in Sarasota, Lee, Orange and Marion counties to manage and support post-hurricane operations.
  • FDLE response teams from Miami-Dade, Broward, Escambia and Leon counties will travel to the affected areas as soon as weather permits to participate in a multi-agency hurricane response. The multi-agency effort includes emergency communications, temporary housing and motor vehicle and marine fueling stations to support the relief effort.
  • FDLE developed alternative law enforcement communications plans and has identified a law enforcement team to assist with communications issues following the storm.
  • FDLE is coordinating the deployment of first responders who are expected to arrive in southwest Florida as soon as it is safe to travel.

9/27/22
  • In advance of Hurricane Ian, FDLE regional support and logistics teams throughout the state are preparing to deploy personnel and equipment for a ready response to the aftermath of the storm. FDLE has started pre-staging equipment and mobile command posts at strategic locations. Teams with chainsaws, tarps and other supplies are assembling.

9/26/22
  • FDLE agents are staffing the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) coordinating with all Florida law enforcement partners assessing their needs ahead of the storm.    
  • The agency is working closely with the Division of Emergency Management as well as county EOCs in advance of Hurricane Ian. 

For Further Information Contact:
FDLE Office of Public Information
(850) 410-7001
 

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