Emergency Management Director
Karen Kozac
707 NW 6th Street, Okeechobee, FL 34972
Office: (863)763-3212 ext. 5
Fax: (863)763-4565
Email: kkozac@OkeechobeeCountyFL.gov

The Emergency Management Division has the responsibility of planning, training and exercising all government and non-governmental agencies integral to a coordinated response to all disasters. The Division provides an all-hazards approach in which staff educates residents by urging them to be prepared for any emergency.

The most talked about potential disaster in our area are hurricanes, and our Emergency Management provides awareness
and information for such disasters as wildfires, severe weather and hazardous material incidents and educates residents by urging them to be prepared for any emergency.

Okeechobee County Emergency Operations Center operates with key representatives from public safety agencies, emergency relief organizations, internal departments, municipalities, utility companies, private businesses, news media and other essential organizations. Activities are coordinated with surrounding jurisdictions as well as the State of Florida and FEMA. When not actively working an emergency, the Division is developing and coordinating programs dealing with emergency preparedness response, recovery and mitigation.

We encourage Okeechobee County residents to have a plan in place, and to be prepared in case of any sudden onset incidents.

Important terms to know:

What is a Local State of Emergency and directives?

Local jurisdictions have the authority to declare, by resolution, a local state of emergency pursuant to Section 252.38(3)(a)5., Florida Statutes. A local state of emergency directive can be initiated by a county at any time, but in most cases, it should be declared prior to requesting a response or recovery assistance from the state. Declaring a local state of emergency informs state decision-makers that an emergency situation exists beyond the response or recovery capabilities of the local jurisdiction.

The enactment of such a directive will enable counties to:

• Initiate local emergency preparedness and response actions
• Request state assistance, if needed
• Invoke emergency-related mutual-aid assistance
• Waive the procedures and formalities otherwise required of the political subdivision by law, to respond to the emergency

Weather Terms:  

The National Hurricane Center will issue Hurricane Watches and Warnings when these conditions are expected along a specific coastal area.

• Tropical Storm Watch
  An announcement that tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are possible within the specified coastal area within 48 hours.

• Tropical Storm Warning
  An announcement that tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are expected within the specified coastal area within 36 hours.

• Hurricane Watch
  An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are possible somewhere within the specified coastal area. Because hurricane preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, the hurricane watch is issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.

• Hurricane Warning
  An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are expected somewhere within the specified coastal area. Because hurricane preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, the hurricane warning is issued 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.

 Fawn Weather Station (Instructions)

Emergency information will be broadcast on local radio and television stations. The radio stations are WOKC-FM 100.9, WOKC-AM 1570, and WWFR-FM 91.7 in Okeechobee, WQCS-FM 88.9 in Fort Pierce, and WAFC-FM 100.5 in Clewiston. The television stations are Channels 5, 12, and 25 from West Palm Beach, and the local cable station.

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