**B-ROLL AND PHOTO RELEASE**
CFO Patronis Assesses Hurricane Preparedness at US&R Florida Task Force 2 Training Center in Miami

To watch b-roll, click here. 

MIAMI, Fla. — Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis toured the Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Florida Task Force 2 Training Center where he assessed hurricane preparedness and discussed the importance of Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) teams. There are a total of eight US&R teams statewide that are immediately deployed to aid communities that have been impacted by a natural or man-made disaster. The CFO was joined by members of Florida’s US&R Task Force 2, City of Miami Fire Chief Joseph Zahralban, City of Miami Commissioners and Legislators.

CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “It was an honor to be in Miami today with Florida’s US&R Task Force 2 members to highlight their efforts and assess hurricane preparedness measures ahead of the 2024 hurricane season, which is just a few months away. I can’t thank this task force enough for their service and sacrifice to our state. These heroes were some of the first to respond to the Surfside Condo collapse and also deployed to Southwest Florida following Hurricane Ian. In 2022, I was proud to advocate and secure $10 million in funding to provide these teams with more equipment to aid in their life-saving missions. I encourage all Floridians statewide to prepare now to ensure you, your family, and your business have a disaster plan in place. Visit PrepareFL.com for disaster preparedness tips and resources.”

City of Miami Fire Chief Joseph Zahralban said, “It was an honor to have CFO Patronis join us at FL-TF 2’s training center today. As Floridians, we know all too well the devastation that hurricanes can cause. We train year-round to ensure our dedicated task force members are prepared for the worst. A huge thank you to the CFO for recognizing our first responders and bringing awareness to the importance of hurricane season preparedness.”

City of Miami Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela said, “A huge thank you to CFO Patronis for visiting US&R Task Force 2 this morning and bringing awareness to the team and everything they do to keep Floridians safe. The 2024 hurricane season will be here before we know it and it’s never to early to make sure you and your family are prepared.”

City of Miami Commissioner Manolo Reyes said, “Preparation is key when it comes to ensuring the safety of Floridians. We know from experience the devastating impact a hurricane can have on our communities, which is why it is so important for our US&R members prepare. Thank you to the members of the US&R Task Force 2 for staying ready to help our communities when they need it most and to CFO Patronis for highlighting the importance of our dedicated team members.”

Representative Fabian Basabe said, “As the 2024 hurricane season is soon upon us, our dedicated US&R teams are training around the clock to ensure the safety of all Floridians. We are proud to have the dedicated men and women of Task Force 2 and I would like to thank them, along with all of our first responders and law enforcement agencies for their service to District 106 and our great state.”

Representative Alina Garcia said, “It was great to join CFO Patronis and our US&R Task Force 2 members this morning to tour their training center. Without a doubt, I am incredibly grateful for their dedication. Our US&R members are the first boots on the ground following a disaster and they run towards danger to provide life-saving resources. The 2024 hurricane season will be here before we know it and our TF2 team is prepared to brave the most challenging of conditions to keep our communities safe.”

Representative Mike Redondo said, “It was an honor to join CFO Patronis and our first responders today in Miami. Living in Florida, we have seen time after time the damage that hurricanes can cause to our state and it is critical to be prepared. A huge thank you to our dedicated first responders and US&R Task Force 2 who work every day to protect us and stand ready to assist following a disaster.”  

Representative Alex Rizo said, “Thank you, CFO Patronis, for continuing to put the spotlight on our amazing Urban Search and Rescue teams and the importance of preparing for hurricane season. As we all know, it’s no secret, the most predictable thing about hurricanes is that they are unpredictable. But having a solid, firm disaster plan in place will help your family weather the storm. Our US&R teams work day and night to ensure we are all protected.”

Urban Search & Rescue Task Force Capabilities

• Physical search and rescue operations in damaged/collapsed structures
• Emergency medical care for entrapped survivors, task force personnel and search canines
• Reconnaissance to assess damage and needs, and provide feedback to local, state, tribal, territorial and federal officials.
• Assessment/shut-off of utilities to houses and other buildings
• Hazardous materials surveys/evaluations
• Structural/hazard evaluations of buildings needed for immediate occupancy to support disaster relief operations
• Stabilizing damaged structures, including shoring and cribbing operations on damaged buildings
• Hazardous Materials Equipment Push Packages for operations in a contaminated environment
• Search and rescue operations in a water environment

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About CFO Jimmy Patronis

Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis is a statewide elected official and a member of Florida’s Cabinet who oversees the Department of Financial Services. CFO Patronis works each day to fight insurance fraud, support Florida’s firefighters, and ensure the state’s finances are stable to support economic growth in the state. Follow the activities of the Department on Facebook (FLDFS) and X (@FLDFS).