Florida Law Enforcement and National Guard Working to Protect and Assist Hurricane Impacted Areas

Tallahassee - In the wake of Hurricane Dennis, more than 2,000 National Guardsmen and 700 law enforcement officers from across Florida have been dispatched to provide protection and assist in recovery efforts throughout the affected counties. Deployed to the Florida Panhandle, they are providing critical services to Floridians impacted by the recent hurricane.

"Hurricane Dennis brought significant personal loss to residents around the state," said Governor Jeb Bush. "I am proud of the rapid and efficient response of state and local law enforcement agencies and the men and women of the Florida National Guard that are serving as first responders to this disaster."

National Guardsmen and Florida law enforcement officers that have been deployed to the impacted counties come from an array of backgrounds and specialties. However, when responding to a disaster, they perform a host of citizen services, including:

• Meeting humanitarian needs when and where necessary: assisting with distribution of food and water; helping with debris removal; assisting residents when they first return to their homes and businesses; and more
• Supporting local law enforcement
• Traffic control
• Routine patrol and response
• Guarding fixed posts and distribution sites
• Protecting neighborhoods heavily damaged by the storm

"Hundreds of Florida National Guard Soldiers are currently working under the direction of FDLE to provide needed security and traffic control," said Maj. Gen. Douglas Burnett, Adjutant General of Florida. "We are glad to work in support of other state agencies such as FDLE to ensure citizens of Florida are well protected and to help speed recovery operations in crisis situations such as Hurricane Dennis."

Among the state law enforcement agencies that have sent first-responders are:

• Florida Department of Law Enforcement
• Florida Highway Patrol
• DBPR Division of Alcohol and Tobacco
• DOT Motor Carrier Compliance
• Florida Wildlife Commission
• DEP Law Enforcement
• Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Law Enforcement

"I have visited several of the impacted areas with many of our law enforcement partners, and I can tell you that they are as proud to serve in this important role as we are to have them there," said Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Guy Tunnell.

For more storm-related information, please contact your local law enforcement agency or visit www.floridadisaster.org.

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