"Florida's first-rate emergency planning and training efforts have enabled the state emergency management team to respond effectively to the recent tornadoes in Central Florida," said Governor Crist. "Today's exercise will help ensure that Florida's team continues to be a national leader in response to any type of disaster that may threaten Floridians."
The scenario of the 2007 training exercise was a terrorist event involving a radiological threat. The primary objective of the exercise is to give the state's top executives and staff an opportunity to engage in policy-level discussions with federal and local officials. The exercise provides the opportunity to evaluate information-sharing and to enhance coordination of their response plans and recovery roles with partner agencies.
Representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Coast Guard, Florida National Guard and the Federal Emergency Management Agency also participated in the half-day drill.
"Just as we come together today as members of the State Emergency Response Team for training, it is equally important that all Floridians take the time now, before a disaster strikes, to form a plan, " said Director of Emergency Management (DEM) Craig Fugate.
