Title
A Resolution Of The City Commission Of The City Of Hollywood, Florida, Designating Public Utility Employees As First Responders, Who Work To Supply Safe Potable Water Before, During, And After Emergencies, To Ensure Wastewater Is Properly Conveyed, Treated, And Disposed Of, And That The City Stormwater System Is Maintained To Aid In Flood Prevention And Management And Who Are At All Times Essential To Protecting The Health And Safety Of Our Community, And As Mandated By The Presidential Directive Of 2003 And State Senate Bill 162; Authorizing The City Manager To Effectuate The Aims Of This Resolution.
Strategic Plan Focus
Employee Development & Empowerment
Body
Staff Recommends: Approval of the attached Resolution.
Explanation:
In 2003, President George W. Bush issued Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5 (HSPD-5), Management of Domestic Incidents, in which a Public Works response to emergencies and disasters is recognized as an absolute necessity, and the federal government is directed to include Public Works in all planning and response efforts. The definition of “Public Works” varies regionally and with community size; many municipalities do not have separate Public Works and Public Utilities Departments. For those entities, Public Utilities is generally part of a larger Public Works Department. However, the explanation of workers considered essential under the HSPD-5 includes many positions that are staffed by Department of Public Utilities (“Department”) employees in Hollywood.
On June 9, 2023, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Florida Senate Bill 162 recognizing water and wastewater facility personnel as essential first responders.
Department staff are involved in Disaster Response and Recovery and have demonstrated their skills and commitment to provide for the health, safety, and welfare of our citizens throughout the years.
The Department requests that the City Commission recognize Department of Public Utilities Staff as First Responders, as federally mandated and state recognized, and authorize the Department to create a Public Utilities First Responder Symbol for Department use to increase awareness of the vital role utility workers play during an emergency.
Fiscal Impact:
Approval of this Resolution will not fiscally impact the City.
Recommended for inclusion on the agenda by:
Phyllis Shaw, Deputy Director-Finance, Department of Public Utilities
Vincent Morello, P.E., Director, Department of Public Utilities
Gus Zambrano, Assistant City Manager for Sustainable Development