Plus, big wheels & AI-powered emergency alert
Florida legislative leaders approve $850 million to cover expenses for now from the 2024 hurricanes, a new AI system can help us stay alert before and after hurricanes strike, and some enormous all-terrain vehicles stand ready to help Hillsborough County and St. Petersburg first responders save even more future flood victims. It’s all in this week’s Disaster Management Digest.
Kevin Guthrie presents to the Legislative Budget Commission, June 4, 2025. Courtesy, The Florida Channel
Reimbursing Storm Expenses: Of the many changes coming to FEMA, the biggest shuffle might be a much larger portion of disaster recovery costs falling on the states. The uncertainty in the agency means many of the questions about the future of federally funded emergency management fall to some of our state level superstars, like Kevin Guthrie. A member of the FEMA Review Council, Guthrie is adamant that the current administration will still provide relief, just in a different manner. “The President of the United States and the Secretary of Homeland Security have never said that we are not going to have an agency that is going to help out individuals on their most catastrophic day. They are committed to that,” Guthrie told members of the Florida Joint Legislative Budget Commission on June 4, who in turn freed up $850 million in reserves from the current year state budget to help cover expenses from the 2024 hurricane season. Under the current system, states still need to pay all storm expenses to get reimbursed, a policy that will undoubtedly change, Guthrie explained, adding “We’re trying to look for block grants. Might there be more skin in the game? Instead of us getting 100% (reimbursement for) disaster declarations for a period of time, those days are probably over.”
AI Alerts: For Kevin Guthrie and everyone at FDEM, hurricane season is an all-year event – whether that be preparation, response, or recovery. But this year, the division unveiled a new plan to use AI-based public safety messaging technology that combs through pertinent emergency info and alerts Floridians of danger immediately using radio stations across the Sunshine State. This coupled with the BEACON safety messaging app means that important alerts can be geo-targeted to affected communities and be broadcast and on constant loop so anyone tuning in can be updated before, during, and after imminent danger at any time, using AI-generated voices of trusted local and state authorities. Every county in Florida is part of the network, and localities like High Springs that have tested the technology sing its praises, saying BEACON allows public safety communicators to “(get) the right information to the right people at the right time. … It’s another tool in the toolbox.” Among other tools for disaster prevention are the temporary dams placed around critical infrastructure, which started last year, and had resounding success rates. Guthrie also asked that everyone remain vigilant in keeping their gas tanks full in case an emergency should strike, starting with the “Halfway Full, Halfway There” campaign to ensure everyone is prepared when the hurricanes round the corner.
A Hillsborough County Fire Rescue UTV. Courtesy, Steve Newborn/WUSF-FM
Big Wheels for Flood Rescue: Hillsborough County has a new tool for helping reach those trapped during high flood waters – utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) called Sherps – monster trucks with 6-foot high tires and the ability to float. The UTVs were first used in the hours after Hurricane Milton made landfall, and Hillsborough County Fire Rescue estimates they saved 1,500 people and 100 pets from areas previously inaccessible. Fire Captain James Whitmore told WUSF-FM that the vehicles were outstanding, and the affect on those rescued was even more impactful. “You see the relief in everybody’s face when you pull up and they see somebody’s here to get us,” Whitmore said. “Because at that point in time during the middle of the storm – and even after when the water was still coming up – I think a lot of people were at a lack of hope.” So far, the county has amassed eight of these $180,000 amphibious vehicles in preparation for the next hurricane and is looking to expand even further because of their deft maneuvering and rescue capabilities. Ralph Mascaro IV of Hillsborough County Fire Rescue may have put it best. “There’s a lot of high-water vehicles out there … (that are) really aggressive on the neighborhoods. This can go anywhere an airboat can go, but I’m not blowing out windows … it’s a gentle footprint on the area.”
LMA Newsletter of 6-16-25
