FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 26, 2004
CONTACT: (850) 921-0384

State Law Enforcement Command Post to Open Monday for
Central Florida Hurricane Relief Efforts

ORLANDO - The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) will establish a state law enforcement command post in downtown Orlando.

In emergency situations such as hurricanes, FDLE is charged with coordinating law enforcement relief efforts throughout the state. At the command post, representatives from state and local law enforcement agencies monitor the situation across the region by tracking the storm's trajectory, damage, power outages, shelter status, traffic conditions, evacuations, and more. In addition, the command post receives and responds to requests delegated by the state emergency operations center (SEOC) in Tallahassee using a system called the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) Tracker.

The primary missions include search and rescue, security, and traffic control.

Local jurisdictions that are in need of law enforcement support may make a request through tracker. The FDLE Incident Commander can determine how and when the request will be fulfilled. Requests following Hurricane Jeanne will come into the Central Florida command post from as far away as Martin County.

Following Hurricanes Charley and Frances, the Central Florida command post was home to representatives from the Florida Highway Patrol, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Agriculture, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, the Florida National Guard, and others.

Media opportunities are available at the command post and in the field as agents participate in relief efforts. For more information, contact Geo Morales, Public Information Officer, FDLE, 407-540-3805.

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