FL Division of Emergency Management @FLSERT

This week, emergency management professionals from across @femaregion4 came together for Readiness Week to strengthen preparedness, enhance coordination, and ensure we are ready for whatever the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season may bring. Preparedness doesn't begin when a storm forms—it starts long before the first forecast cone is issued. Throughout the week, participants reviewed plans, shared best practices, strengthened partnerships, and identified opportunities to improve our collective readiness. The week concluded with a full-scale exercise designed to test capabilities, validate plans, and reinforce the coordination that is critical during disaster response. Exercises don't just test plans—they build confidence, strengthen relationships, and help ensure we're ready when communities need us most. Thank you to our federal, state, local, tribal, and private-sector partners for your continued commitment to preparedness and resilience. Together, we continue to build a stronger, more prepared Region 4 and nation.

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⚠️ Weather alerts can save lives! Make sure you have multiple ways to receive emergency information & warnings before an emergency occurs. 📱 Local news broadcasts, social media from trusted sources, weather alerts & messages from family can all help you stay informed when severe weather threatens. 🌴 Find more preparedness information at FloridaDisaster.org/PlanPrepare.

☀️6/11: Hot & humid conditions will cause "feels-like" temperatures to reach dangerous levels statewide. If your plans include any outdoor events or activities, make sure to practice heat safety to avoid heat exhaustion & heat stroke: 🥤 Drink plenty of water even if you don't feel thirsty 🚫 Avoid strenuous outdoor activities 😎 Take breaks in the shade/AC 🚗 Look before you lock Find more info at 👉 FloridaDisaster.org/Heat

Hurricane season is here. Sign up for your university alerts at flbog.edu/university-ale… and learn more prep tips at floridadisaster.org/university!

🐾 June marks both the start of hurricane season & Pet Preparedness Month! 🎒 Build a pet disaster supply kit with food, water, medications, records, leashes & carriers, toys, etc. 🚗 Include pets in your evacuation & sheltering plans Your pets depend on you during emergencies, so make sure they're included in your disaster plan. ➡️ Learn more: FloridaDisaster.org/Pets

6/9 Weekly Weather Watch: Heat, Humidity & Summer Storms 🌦️ Florida is turning up the heat! This week will bring the hottest conditions of the summer so far, with feels-like temps climbing into the triple digits & increasing rain chances, making for a steamy second half of the week. 🏊 Those increasing rain chances are especially important to keep in mind if you plan on traveling to our City of the Week: Key West, to participate in the annual Swim Around Key West Event. Remember: ⚡ If thunder roars, go indoors! 📍 From festivals to fundraisers to local traditions, we want to hear what's happening in your community! Share your event below for a chance to be featured in a future #WWW & check back next week for the latest forecast & prep tips. 🔜

Western Round-Up brought our community together to celebrate, connect, and strengthen our bonds. Huge congrats to @FLSERT for making this week unforgettable. Here’s to leading, lifting, and leaving a legacy. 🌟 #FTEM2026 #ExcellenceInAction

☎️ A communication plan today can make a big difference when it matters most. Take time to update your family's emergency contact list & make sure everyone—including children—knows who to call & how to reach one another if you're separated during an emergency. ✔️ #MakeAPlan & learn more at FloridaDisaster.org/PlanPrepare.

‼️ FTEM Goes Social: The Official FTEM Symposium Account is LIVE Follow our new dedicated account for all things related to Florida's Training for Emergency Management (FTEM) Symposium—from updates & announcements to sponsorships & special insights. 📱 Join us @FTEMSymposium as we look ahead to #FTEM2027 & continue exploring what effective leadership for a changing world looks like in emergency management.

FTEMSymposium @FTEMSymposium

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Save the Date for the Fourth Annual FTEM Symposium in Orlando, FL!

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⛈️ When a storm is approaching, every minute counts! Review & discuss your emergency plan with family members: 📍 Create an evacuation plan with multiple routes 📞 Establish a communications plan to stay connected during an emergency 🐾 Include pets & any special needs in your plans Having a plan NOW can help keep you & your loved ones safe LATER! 👉 FloridaDisaster.org/PlanPrepare

🌟 A Record Year & A Bigger Future Built on Effective Leadership for a Changing World The spirit of service within the #FTEM2026 community was on full display through the First Annual Foundation Silent Auction, which raised nearly $375,000 for the Florida Disaster Foundation. These funds will help support disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and assistance for Floridians impacted by disasters. We thank all who donated, bid, and contributed to this event’s incredible success. After a record-breaking year, we can’t wait to raise the bar even higher! Save the date for #FTEM2027: 📅 June 21–25, 2027 ⭐️ Theme: Effective Leadership for a Changing World

Today, we closed out the Third Annual Florida's Training for Emergency Management Symposium after an incredible week of learning, collaboration, innovation, and partnership. This week, more than 2,000 emergency management professionals from across Florida, the nation, and around the world came together to put Excellence in Action —sharing ideas, strengthening relationships, and investing in the future of our profession. The impact of FTEM extends far beyond the classroom. The partnerships strengthened, lessons learned, and conversations started this week will continue to shape our organizations, our communities, and the future of emergency management. I want to thank every attendee, instructor, speaker, sponsor, exhibitor, volunteer, and partner who helped make this our largest and most successful symposium to date. Your commitment to excellence is what keeps Florida at the forefront of emergency management. As we close out a week focused on Excellence in Action, we now look ahead to the next chapter. The challenges facing our profession continue to evolve, and so must our leadership. That's why we're already counting down to FTEM 2027, taking place June 21–25, 2027, at the Hyatt Regency Orlando, where we will focus on Effective Leadership for a Changing World. The momentum we built this week will serve as the foundation for the conversations, innovations, and leadership strategies that will define the future of our industry. Because in emergency management, excellence is not a destination—it's a commitment to continuously learn, adapt, and lead. Thank you for making FTEM 2026 one to remember. Safe travels home, and we'll see you next year as we continue preparing today's leaders to meet tomorrow's challenges. #FTEM2026 #FTEM2027

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💐 FTEM2026 Flowers for Florida’s Veterans 💐 As #FTEM2026 concludes, we’re honored to extend the impact of this year’s symposium beyond the event itself. The floral arrangements that welcomed attendees throughout the week have been donated to the @FLVetsAffairs, where they can continue to brighten spaces and serve as a small token of appreciation for Florida’s veterans. Service is at the heart of emergency management, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to share that spirit with those who have dedicated their lives to serving our nation.

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❗ As the final day of the Third Annual Florida’s Training for Emergency Management (FTEM) Symposium comes to a close, we want to thank everyone who participated and contributed to showcasing #ExcellenceInAction throughout the week. Share your final takeaways, favorite moments, and overall experience, tagging @FLSERT and using the hashtag #FTEM2026 to highlight Florida’s leadership in advancing emergency management nationwide. Looking ahead to #FTEM2027 and its theme #EffectiveLeadershipForAChangingWorld, we continue the mission to strengthen the field, expand capabilities, and prepare for tomorrow’s challenges—building a more resilient Florida.

☕ Coffee Break Connections At the #FTEM2026 Closing Session, this coffee break, fuels a morning filled with important discussions, key takeaways, and conversations shaping the future of emergency management. ⚡ Thank you to ECHO1 Logistics for helping keep attendees energized and engaged through the final moments of the symposium!

⭐️ #FTEM2026 Closing Session Keynote Speaker: Ken Graham ⭐️ As Director of @NOAA’s National Weather Service and one of the nation’s leading voices in meteorology and public safety, Ken shares insights from a career dedicated to helping communities understand risk, make informed decisions, and take action before disasters strike. 🛰️ His keynote highlights the importance of developing improved weather models, further integrating @NWS into state emergency management operations, and continuously adapting response strategies to meet the challenges of an ever-changing weather and emergency environment. Through stronger partnerships, better data, and enhanced coordination, emergency managers can make more informed decisions and keep communities safer before, during, and after disasters. 💪🏼

As we gather for the Closing Session of the Third Annual Florida’s Training for Emergency Management (FTEM) Symposium, we take a moment to reflect on an incredible week of learning, collaboration, and professional growth. 🌟 Over the past week, more than 2,100 emergency management professionals, partners, and leaders have come together to share knowledge, strengthen relationships, and invest in the future of disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. From training workshops and panel discussions to networking events supporting disaster relief, #FTEM2026 is built on a simple idea: stronger partnerships and better-prepared professionals lead to stronger, more resilient communities. Thank you to everyone who attended, instructed, sponsored, exhibited, volunteered, and helped make this year's symposium the leading emergency management event in the nation. 👏

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As we wrap up the 2026 Florida's Training for Emergency Management Symposium, I encourage everyone to join us for our Closing Session beginning at 10:00 a.m. This year's theme has been **Excellence in Action**—and few individuals embody that more than NOAA National Weather Service Director Ken Graham. Director Graham has dedicated his career to advancing weather readiness, strengthening communication, and helping communities take action before disaster strikes. His leadership has transformed how we prepare for and respond to severe weather across the nation. His message is one you won't want to miss as we reflect on the lessons learned this week and look ahead to the future of emergency management. Join us at 10:00 a.m. for an impactful closing session and help us finish this incredible week strong. #FTEM2026