One of our own hits the Big Island!

With Hurricane Iselle and Julio approaching, Hawaiian Emergency Management enlisted Florida Division of Emergency Management’s State Watch Officer, Ashley Davis to assist in their response efforts. Below is Davis’ account on his deployment to the Big Island:

“On August 7 I received the call from the SERT Chief to deploy for two weeks to the state of Hawaii via Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). When a disaster occurs, the governor of the affected state or territory declares a state of emergency. The impacted state assesses its resource needs and identifies shortfalls for which assistance will be requested, and authorized representatives from the affected state then activate EMAC. In this case, the move came in response to a formal request initiated on August 6, by Hawaii Emergency Management officials through the EMAC.  The EMAC request specified the need for an experienced team member to assist with the coordination and implementation of emergency response missions.  All 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands have enacted legislation to become EMAC partners, which allows individual states (and territories) to provide mutual assistance to one another during a disaster.

The state of Hawaii requested Subject Matter Expertise (SME) from Florida, Mississippi, and California.  I served as the Deputy Operations Chief for the deployment. Less than 24 hours after receiving the call, I left Florida and arrived in Honolulu immediately following Hurricane Iselle’s impact and just as Hurricane Julio tracked toward the Hawaiian Islands.

The EMAC Advance Team quickly integrated into the Hawaii Civil Defense/Emergency Management team and assumed our roles within the Hawaii State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC), which is located in a bunker in the crater of Diamond Head, an inactive volcano. EMAC Advance Team members determine the state’s needs for personnel and equipment and broadcasts an EMAC requisition to other states.

In coordination with our state and private sector partners, the Hawaii SEOC deployed approximately 200,000 pounds of ice, and hundreds of tarps and equipment.  We also operated two Disaster Recovery Centers in Hawaii County (Big Island) and provided in-house SME training.

Working with the Hawaii Emergency Management and developing relationships with local and state emergency management was not only a rewarding experience, it was also humbling.  The Hawaii Emergency Management Team is made up of extremely dedicated emergency managers and I was honored to serve alongside them as we saved lives and protected property together” – Ashley Davis, FDEM State Watch Officer

Employee Spotlight | Cherie Milligan, Finance

Twice a month, we shine the spotlight on a FDEM employee to introduce our followers to the exceptional men and women serving Floridians before, during and after a disaster. Today, it is our pleasure to present veteran Division employee, Cherie Milligan.

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

“Originally, I’m from Detroit. I have lived in Tallahassee since 1984. I am married, and have a son and two grandsons.”

Q: You’ve worked for the state for 25 years, what other agencies have you worked with before FDEM?

“I started working at the former Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, currently known as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in April 1984. I worked in personnel until August 1986. I then left the state for four months to return to school as a full-time student and also worked part time at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. In December 1986, I started working at the Department of Community Affairs in the Housing Division in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Section.

After that I moved on to work on the Growth Management Division for 10 years, then the Coastal Management Program for three years until March 2001. I left the state in 2001 for five years and began work at two law firms in their legislative sections, where I monitored legislation for many lobbyists and attorneys.

I returned to the Department of Community Affairs again to the CDBG program and, in March 2006, I began working at the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) in the current position I have today“.

Q: What has been your most memorable moment while working at FDEM so far?

“I have many memorable moments…the 2007 tornadoes, working both at the Lake County Emergency Operating Center (EOC) the day after the tornado hit and again at the Joint Field Office in Orlando working to set up the Recovery effort. Also, I was deployed four times to Mobile, Ala., in support of the BP Oil Spill/Deep Water Horizon incident. In addition to deployment, I have worked many disaster activations in the EOC. I love the fast pace, adrenaline rush atmosphere you get while working in the EOC. During blue skies, the most memorable time was when FDEM transitioned from working under the Department of Community Affairs to the Executive Office of the Governor. It was definitely a challenge to coordinate that effort for FDEM. It was amazing to watch all the moving pieces and parts and to realize the effects this change has on so many areas of government.”

Q: So now a fun fact, tell us anything fun and random about yourself!

“I love to shop! I love to be with my friends and family! And one day, about five years from now, I just might RETIRE!”