LTC 312-2023 Miami Beach Public Safety Involved in Drone Disaster Response ExerciseMIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. LTC# LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO:
FROM:
Mayor Dan Gelber and Mem�w City Commission
Alina T. Hudak, City Managet)A ' '
DATE: July 11, 2023
SUBJECT: Miami Beach Public Safety Involved in Drone Disaster Response Exercise
The purpose of this L TC is to advise you of a disaster response field exercise involving
City departments and partner organizations that will take place Friday, July 14.
In a combined public/private effort, South Florida first responders from various agencies
with varied capabilities will come together to train and prepare through a simulated
disaster exercise. Chief Juan Mestas, Deputy Chief of Operations for Miami Beach Fire and Emergency Manager, is one of the architects of this exercise, which will focus on coordinating Search and Rescue (SAR), Initial Damage Assessment (IDA) and the use
of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS -commonly known as Drones) to enhance
response activity. The three methods being used give the Command Post or Emergency
Operations Center (EOC) the ability to track activity in real time.
Students in FIU's Academy of International Disaster Preparedness and Miami Beach Firefighters and recruit class members will participate alongside Coral Gables Fire
Rescue, Miami Dade Fire Rescue and Florida Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 2
(sponsored by the City of Miami) and Miami Beach Police. The exercise will convene at
the FIU Biscayne Bay Campus in North Miami. Other participants include members of
the Miami Beach Divisions of Emergency Management and Ocean Rescue.
This collaborative effort will bring together local agencies at a comprehensive disaster base camp set up on the campus "ropes course." Through multiple scenarios, participants will practice SAR, IDA and UAS capabilities and assets using marine rescue, helicopter air rescue, and the feasibility of using drones in a variety of response and
rescue settings. MBFD's own Blue List drones will also incorporate debris pile searches,
a tactic that can assist in finding victims post storm.
The FIU campus is located at 3000 NE 151st Street in North Miami. The exercise takes
place from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 pm. Friday, July 14, 2023.
C: Executive Staff
Management T earn
ATHNF/JRM/SHL
312-2023