HANDBOOK FOR DISASTER ASSISTANCE
LOCAL DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY
Local jurisdictions have the authority to declare, by resolution, a local "state of emergency" pursuant to Section 252.38(6)(e), Florida Statutes. Even though a local state of emergency declaration can be initiated by a county at any time, it should be declared prior to requesting response or recovery assistance from the state. Doing so lets state decision-makers know that an emergency situation exists which is beyond the response or recovery capabilities of the local jurisdiction. The state usually will not initiate the damage assessment process, and will not seek a Presidential Disaster Declaration for a county that has not declared a local state of emergency.
The enactment of such a declaration will enable counties to:
Request state assistance, if needed;
Invoke emergency related mutual-aid assistance; and
Waive the procedures and formalities otherwise required of the political subdivision by law, to respond to the emergency.
These measures pertain to:
a. performing public works;
b. entering into contracts;
c. incurring obligations;
d. hiring permanent/temporary workers;
e. using volunteers;
f. securing rental equipment;
g. acquiring and distributing supplies;
h. appropriating and expending public funds;
i. preventing price gouging;
j. regulating transportation; and
k. managing resources.
