Deputies Shine in Hurricane Response
On October 10, Hurricane Michael ripped through the Florida Panhandle, leaving an unprecedented path of destruction to homes, business and lives in its wake. For deputies throughout the region, particularly in Gulf, Bay, Franklin, Calhoun, Jackson, Washington, Liberty and Gadsden counties, it also meant fulfilling their duties as first responders while dealing with substantial personal loss and upheaval in many cases.
As you know from news reports or having served in the area, the impact on the region really cannot be overstated. Now more than a month later, power has been fully restored to all customers, according to the power companies. The problem is that for thousands of people, there is simply no place to restore power to.
In Bay County, up to 60 employees of the sheriff’s office were homeless after the storm. And the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received such damage that it is currently working out of portables and will be moving soon to the former Dozier School for Boys campus that has been closed for seven years but survived the storm.
In the first few days following the storm, news reports were full of accounts of deputies who were busy serving the community and were not even aware of the status of their own homes. Since then, they have been faced with serving and protecting communities with limited infrastructure, displaced residents and, unfortunately, certain criminal elements looking to take advantage of vulnerable populations.
As you can read in this issue of the APB, the deputies in Panhandle counties were not alone. Sheriff’s Offices from around the state and beyond, were quick to answer the call – sending people, supplies and other forms of assistance into the affected areas like the Calvary. Convoys with sheriff’s office decals could be seen rolling in from counties some residents may have never even visited. It was a dramatic showing of the unity and compassion of our sheriffs’ offices and another great example of the power of our mutual aid agreements.
The Florida Deputy Sheriffs Association was also active in providing support from the beginning of this tragic event. Through our Lend A Hand program, we have donated more than $20,000, more than we have ever provided in a single month.
We reached out directly to the affected sheriffs and asked how we could best assist the deputies who were in the most need. At least six deputies suffered a total loss of their homes and others were dealing with significant damage that forced them to find alternative accommodations – all while serving their communities. We are still working with the hardest-hit counties to discuss how we can provide help moving forward.
One way we know we can help is though the GoFundMe account that we set up to provide additional funds to deputies and their families who are in need. After a good start, the support has started to wane a bit, but we cannot forget that recovery will be a very long process. Please consider contributing to the Fund and show support for your fellow deputies. To donate, go to GoFundMe.com and search for Deputy Displaced Hurricane Michael. You can still make a difference.
Speaking of making a difference, I did want to mention the work of FDSA Board Member Chief Deputy John Creamer of the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. Chief Creamer said that he and Sheriff Mike Chitwood agreed that there was a “moral and ethical responsibility” to help those impacted by the storm – so he joined 16 other VCSO deputies and headed for Tallahassee.
Chief Creamer spent much of the career working for the Tallahassee Police Department, so he felt a personal connection to the affected region. We are proud of his work representing both his agency and FDSA.
I am also pleased that we have partnered with the National Association of Realtors and the Florida Association of Realtors to provide access to another $500,000 earmarked for these communities. I look forward to helping that play out to benefit the citizens of this region.
Finally, I am proud to announce that we participating in an exciting program with Star & Shield Insurance Services in which they donate $10 to FDSA for every quote provided to anyone who calls using our special phone number or identifies FDSA when asked which participating public safety organization they would like to support. Star & Shield has been supporting public safety since 2009 and has been a great partner to Florida’s sheriffs and deputies. To get a free, no-obligation quote, can call 855-633-4175 or visit http://www.starandshield.com. ;
Thank you for supporting FDSA and for everything you do to serve and protect our communities.
