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Public safety leaders brief commissioners on emergency management, mosquito control, 9‑1‑1 upgrade and fire/rescue staffing plans
Summary
County emergency management, mosquito control, 911 and fire/rescue staff reviewed 2024 operational challenges and 2025 priorities including next‑generation 911 upgrades, increased mosquito control funding and pursuit of a SAFER grant to fund additional firefighters
Okeechobee County public‑safety staff made a multi‑department presentation to the board on Feb. 13 covering emergency management, mosquito control, the 9‑1‑1 call center modernization, and fire/rescue operations and staffing.
Presenters said emergency management handled multiple extended activations for hurricanes in 2024 and upgraded the county Emergency Operations Center with improved audiovisual systems and furniture to support longer activations. Staff said they will continue community preparedness outreach and be‑ready town hall meetings in 2025.
Mosquito control staff reported increased grant funding that allowed expansion of spraying coverage and aerial spraying after Hurricane Milton; staff said roughly 600 road miles were treated and emphasized better communication this year with local beekeepers before certain sprays are applied.
The 9‑1‑1 call center update described a multiyear move toward a next‑generation 9‑1‑1 digital system and integration with RapidSOS to improve location accuracy for callers and to enable text‑to‑911. Staff said a short outage is planned during migration and that contingency routing to a neighboring county’s call center is in place for that period. Commissioners asked about implementation of AI keyword detection in 9‑1‑1 workflows; staff said the county is evaluating options but has not implemented them.
Fire‑rescue leaders reported that call volumes remain higher than pre‑COVID levels, with modest increases in brush and structure fires last year. Staff described community risk reduction work such as smoke‑detector installations, CPR training partnerships and a training tower that crews now use frequently. A new engine under construction is expected for delivery in March to replace an older unit; the department plans to re‑chassis an ambulance to save roughly $200,000. Staff said they are pursuing a FEMA SAFER grant to fund additional firefighter positions for up to three years and described progress with a high‑school fire academy as a local recruitment pipeline.
Commissioners asked about hiring and about partnerships with local schools; staff said three new hires are expected to start the week following the meeting and that the county anticipates several cadets from the academy could be future hires.
No formal board action was required; this was an informational presentation.
