SURFISDE, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2021 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis late Thursday evening signed an executive order declaring a “state of emergency” in Miami-Dade County as rescuers and recovery workers continue to search for survivors and victims of the building collapse in Surfside.
Here is the text of that executive order:
WHEREAS, in the early morning hours of June 24, 2021, a residential condominium building located at 8777 Collins Avenue in Surfside, Florida experienced a major structural collapse; and
WHEREAS, in the early morning hours of June 24, 2021, a residential condominium building located at 8777 Collins Avenue in Surfside, Florida experienced a major structural collapse; and
WHEREAS, in the early morning hours of June 24, 2021, a residential condominium building located at 8777 Collins Avenue in Surfside, Florida experienced a major structural collapse; and
WHEREAS, in the early morning hours of June 24, 2021, a residential condominium building located at 8777 Collins Avenue in Surfside, Florida experienced a major structural collapse; and
WHEREAS, in the early morning hours of June 24, 2021, a residential condominium building located at 8777 Collins Avenue in Surfside, Florida experienced a major structural collapse; and
WHEREAS, in the early morning hours of June 24, 2021, a residential condominium building located at 8777 Collins Avenue in Surfside, Florida experienced a major structural collapse; and
Section 1. Because of the foregoing conditions, I declare that a state of emergency exists in Miami-Dade County.
Section 2. I designate the Director of the Division of Emergency Management as the State Coordinating Officer for the duration of this emergency and direct him to execute the State’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan and other response, recovery, and mitigation plans necessary to cope with the emergency. Pursuant to section 252.36(1)(a), Florida Statutes, I delegate to the State Coordinating Officer the authority to exercise those powers delineated in sections 252.36(5)-(10), Florida Statutes, which he shall exercise as needed to meet this emergency, subject to the limitations of section 252.33, Florida Statutes. In exercising the powers delegated by this Executive Order, the State Coordinating Officer shall confer with the Governor to the fullest extent practicable. The State Coordinating Officer shall also have the authority to:
- Invoke and administer the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (“EMAC”) (sections 252.921-252.9335, Florida Statutes) and other compacts and agreements existing between the State of Florida and other states, and the further authority to coordinate the allocation of resources from such other states that are made available to Florida under such compacts and agreements so as best to meet this emergency.
- Seek direct assistance and enter into agreements with any and all agencies of the United States Government as may be needed to meet the emergency.
- Direct all state, regional and local governmental agencies, including law enforcement agencies, to identify personnel needed from those agencies to assist in meeting the response, recovery, and mitigation needs created by this emergency, and to place all such personnel under the direct command and coordination of the State Coordinating Officer to meet this emergency.
- Designate additional Deputy State Coordinating Officers as necessary.
- Suspend the effect of any statute, rule, or order that would in any way prevent, hinder, or delay any mitigation, response, or recovery action necessary to cope with this emergency, including to the extent necessary to provide budget authority for state agencies to cope with this emergency.
- Enter orders as may be needed to implement any of the foregoing powers; however, the requirements of sections 252.46 and 120.54(4), Florida Statutes, do not apply to any such orders issued by the State Coordinating Officer. No such order shall remain in effect beyond the expiration of this Executive Order, to include any extension.
Section 3. All State agencies entering emergency final orders or other final actions in response to this emergency shall advise the State Coordinating Officer contemporaneously or as soon as practicable.
Section 3. All State agencies entering emergency final orders or other final actions in response to this emergency shall advise the State Coordinating Officer contemporaneously or as soon as practicable.
Section 4. Pursuant to section 501.160, Florida Statutes, it is unlawful and a violation of section 501.204, Florida Statutes, for a person to rent or sell or offer to rent or sell at an unconscionable price within the area for which the state of emergency is declared, any essential commodity including, but not limited to, supplies, services, provisions, or equipment that is necessary for consumption or use as a direct result of the emergency.
Section 5. In accordance with section 252.37(2), Florida Statutes, I direct that sufficient funds be made available, as needed, by transferring and expending moneys appropriated for other purposes, moneys from unappropriated surplus funds, or from the Budget Stabilization Fund.
Section 6. All actions taken by the Director of the Division of Emergency Management with respect to this emergency before the issuance of this Executive Order are ratified. This Executive Order shall expire thirty (30) days from this date unless extended.
Section 7. This order is effective immediately
