Craig Fugate
A Floridian with over 28 years experience in emergency services, Craig has been involved in public service most of his adult life. Growing up in Alachua County, Craig was an active member of the Santa Fe High School Chapter of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) earning the American Farmer Degree.
In addition to emergency management, Craig and his wife Sheree are avid sea kayakers with a web site dedicated to paddling in North Florida at http://www.seakayakflorida.com/.
Presentations: Awards Hurricane Season 2004
W. Craig Fugate
As the Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, Mr.
Fugate oversees an agency with 138 full time. The Florida Division of Emergency Management coordinates disaster response, recovery, preparedness and mitigation efforts with each of the state's 67 counties and local governments. In September 2003, the Florida Emergency Management Program became the first statewide emergency management program in the nation to receive full accreditation from the Emergency Management Accreditation Program. From volunteer firefighter, Paramedic, and Lieutenant with Alachua County Fire Rescue, his career in emergency services included serving 10 years as the Emergency Manager for Alachua County, Florida. In May of 1997, he was appointed Chief of the Bureau of Preparedness and Response with the Florida Division of Emergency Management. Over the next four years, the State of Florida faced numerous disasters while continuing to build a nationally recognized emergency management program. His role as the Chief of the State Emergency Response Team saw extensive action in 1998. Florida experienced the impacts of floods, tornadoes, wildfires, and Hurricane Georges resulting in over 200 days of activation for the State Emergency Response Team. In October of 2001, Governor Bush appointed Mr. Fugate to serve as Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
On December 18, 2006, Governor Elect Crist appointed Director Fugate to
his administration, the role he continues today. 2004 saw the largest response to disasters in Florida history with one tropical storm and four hurricanes (Charlie, Frances, Ivan, and Jean) impacting the State.
2005 again was a record setting year for hurricanes, Florida was impacted by four hurricanes, three that made landfall, (Dennis, Katrina, and Wilma), and two tropical storms. Hurricane Katrina became the most costly natural disaster during its second landfall on the Louisiana and Mississippi Coast. Florida's State Emergency Response Team launched the State's largest mutual aid response under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact or EMAC in support of the impacted states.
Hurricane Wilma made landfall on October 24 on Florida's SW Coast
becoming the 3rd costliest storm in Florida's history.
www.disastersrus.org
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