Post-Hurricane Recovery Best Practices Task Force Created

Citizens for Responsible Spending (CRS) Chairman Barney Bishop III today Tuesday the creation of the Post-Hurricane Recovery Best Practices Task Force. 

Tallahassee-based CRS, formed in the summer of 2015 to address city budget issues, will work to identify ways communities can provide the most effective response and recovery efforts following a hurricane. The goal of the task force is to create a model of best practices to ensure a smooth and rapid, coordinated response to the emergency, Bishop said in a press release.

The following is from Bishop's release:

"Former Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp and J. Sam Bell, P.E. (Ret.) will serve as the chair and vice-chair, respectively.

"Areas of focus for the task force include chain-of-command; pre-, during- and post-storm communications efforts; prioritizing public and private asset allocation; strategic partnerships and a method for triaging unforeseen -- but most important, support from both public and private organizations following any natural disaster.

“'This private sector task force is not about reviewing what went right and wrong when Hurricane Hermine hit Tallahassee,' said Bishop. 'It’s about how can our community be 
better prepared going forward for the next hurricane or natural disaster and how can we share these lessons with others across our state and nation.'

"As chairman of the task force, Kottkamp will bring extensive leadership based on his experience here in Florida. In addition to serving in the Florida House of Representatives 
from 2000-2006, he served as lieutenant governor from 2007-2011, has chaired Space Florida as well as Florida’s Children & Youth Cabinet. His time in government, especially during the many storms of 2005, will provide a unique perspective on how coordination among multiple municipalities can be achieved. 

"Sam Bell has 45 years of utilities experience, including 30 years with Florida Power and Light Co., five years with the City of Tallahassee as both utility director and assistant city manager. Further, Bell was a member of the Florida Energy Commission from 2007-09.

"In addition, the task force includes Colleen Castille, Victoria Zepp, John McEachern and Tom Napier. ...

"Barry Moline, long time executive director of the Florida Municipal Electric Association, will provide technical and operational information to the Task Force.

The task force’s recommendations will be finalized by Oct.7.