6/29/2021

Governor DeSantis Provides Update on State Response Efforts for Surfside Building Collapse

Today, Governor Ron DeSantis was joined by Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nunez, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) Director Kevin Guthrie and Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett and provided updates on the Surfside Building Collapse response.

Full remarks regarding the current response from this morning's press conference are available here. Vicegobernadora Jeanette Nuñez también pronunció comentarios en español. Los comentarios comienzan en 2:40.

There are currently more than 440 first responders and state workers on-site to support ongoing search and recovery efforts. Today’s state response efforts include:

Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) 

• FDEM personnel have assisted in the completion of 29 FEMA Individual Assistance applications for individuals impacted by the Surfside Building Collapse.
• The following heavy equipment is on-site being used for Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Task Force operations:
• A 248-ton crane
• A 400-ton crane
• Two excavators
• A concrete nibbler
• Two Skidsteer loaders
• A telehandler
• Ten dump trucks
• Two front loaders
• The state is sending mental wellness teams and critical incident stress management resources to Surfside to support the mental health of Urban Search and Rescue responders.
• The State Mental Health Coordinator is on-site and working with the Florida Crisis Response Team and local organizations to centralize available mental health resources.

Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) 

• DEO Secretary Dane Eagle has visited dozens of area businesses to personally assess the impacts on their business and employees.
• DEO has a mobile unit on scene with deployed personnel who are assisting individuals with completing housing assistance applications and coordinating available business resources.

Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) 

• FLHSMV issued Emergency Order 062621, which waives replacement fees for driver license and identification credentials, vehicle registrations and titles, vessel registrations and titles and temporary parking permits for impacted individuals.
• FLHSMV is providing no-fee driver license and motor vehicles services to impacted individuals at the Family Assistance Center and is coordinating with the Red Cross to identify any individuals needing assistance.

Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) 

• FDOT continues to fulfill resource requests by Miami-Dade County for additional traffic maintenance devices.
• FDOT began debris removal operations with contract support and continues to provide additional equipment as needed.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) 

• FDLE agents and analysts are assisting with family reunification efforts and victim advocacy for survivors and their loved ones.

Florida Department of Education (DOE) 

• DOE is collaborating with Miami-Dade Public Schools to identify health counseling and resources for families of those impacted by the Surfside Building Collapse.

Department of Children and Families (DCF) 

• DCF is on-site providing assistance and mental health resources to impacted families at the Family Assistance Center.
• DCF is coordinating with Miami-Dade County to distribute gift cards to displaced individuals at the Family Assistance Center.

Florida Department of Health (FDOH) 

• FDOH is coordinating with local partners on-site to assess and respond to any potential public health hazards.
• FDOH has activated the Florida Crisis Consortium to provide behavioral health care for impacted individuals at the Family Reunification Center.
• FDOH is ready to offer COVID-19 vaccination outreach in areas near or at the Family Reunification Center.
• FDOH is supporting health and food safety at resource distribution sites for displaced individuals, families and first responders.

Florida Department of Management Services (DMS) 

• DMS is coordinating with the state’s tenant broker to locate a warehouse to store donations for individuals impacted by the Surfside Building Collapse.
• DMS is currently procuring commodities for debris removal from the site.

Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) 

• The DBPR Condominium Ombudsman is available locally to provide assistance and resources for impacted individuals.

Volunteer Florida and Nonprofit Organizations 

• Volunteer Florida is on-site to assist in coordination of physical donations and resource management alongside local organizations actively meeting the needs of those displaced by the Surfside Building Collapse.
• Good360, a nonprofit disaster relief organization, is donating 1,000 buckets for the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Task Forces to assist in the debris removal process.

Previous state response efforts for the Surfside Building Collapse are available for:

• Monday, June 28
• Sunday evening, June 27
• Sunday morning, June 27
• Saturday, June 26
• Friday, June 25
• Thursday, June 24

Individuals with information about loved ones who are unaccounted for, or are safe, are encouraged to call the reunification hotline at (305) 614-1819.

Impacted individuals can register for updates and access to resources through a centralized alert system by visiting SurfsideReunite.com or calling toll-free at (833) 930-3701. Agents are available in English and Spanish and will contact individuals who have registered with the alert system.

Impacted individuals are also encouraged to contact the following helpline services for immediate emotional support:

• Disaster Distress Helpline – (800) 985-5990
• Florida 211 Network – 211
• Crisis Text Line – Text HELLO to 741741

State personnel remain on scene and will continue to provide assistance, as requested.