Emergency Support Functions (ESFs)
Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) are the primary organizational framework used by the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) to coordinate response operations during emergencies and disasters. ESFs are comprised of response partners from state agencies, federal agencies, non-governmental organizations, and private sector entities that provide subject matter expertise, resources, and operational support within specific functional areas.
Each ESF represents a coordinated group of partners responsible for delivering critical services, implementing programs, and supporting incident operations across the State of Florida. These functions are supported by agency Emergency Coordinating Officers (ECOs) and staffed by personnel with specialized expertise to ensure effective response and resource integration.
The SERT is organized into 20 ESFs, each aligned to a distinct operational capability. Every ESF is led by a designated Primary Agency and managed by an ESF Lead, who serves as the central point of contact and is responsible for coordinating activities within the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC).
The role of ESF 1 is to ensure the coordination, management, and prioritization of transportation infrastructure resources and support during events and incidents affecting the state:
- Pre-impact work: Ensure all evacuation routes are accessible.
- Activation: Ensure all modes of transportation function; keep roads, bridges, and ports operating; remove and transport debris to debris management sites; etc.
- Blue-Skies: Ensure roads, ports and airport infrastructures are prepared for emergency situations.
Branch: Infrastructure
Lead Agency: Florida Department of Transportation
ESF 2 provides communication resources to state and local agencies to assist in the restoration of local communication networks with carriers and federal agencies.
Branch: Infrastructure
Lead Agency: Florida Department of Management Services, Division of Telecommunications
Link: https://www.dms.myflorida.com/business_operations/telecommunications
ESF 3 has the primary role to provide public works and engineering resource support – such as coordinating the restoration of facilities infrastructure, reporting level of damage to infrastructure, providing flood inundation maps, etc. – to assist in event and incident management.
Branch: Infrastructure
Lead Agency: Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Link: https://floridadep.gov
ESF 4 provides state support to local governments to detect and suppress urban, rural, and wildland fires resulting from a disaster condition or event.
ESF 9 coordinates deployment of resources for urban and non-urban search and rescue.
Branch: Emergency Services
Lead Agencies: Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of State Fire Marshal
Link: https://www.myfloridacfo.com/division/sfm
ESF 5 collects, analyzes, processes, and disseminates information about an incident, as well as conducts deliberate crisis action planning activities to facilitate providing assistance to the whole community.
Branch: Planning Support
Lead Agency: Florida Division of Emergency Management
Link:https://floridadisaster.webeocasp.com/floridadisaster/ui/login/policy
Link: https://www.floridadisaster.org/dem/response/planning-section/
ESF 6 focuses on assisting local governmental and nongovernmental organizations with providing shelter, food, and crisis counseling services to affected persons during an activation. ESF 6 coordinates these measures through the following:
- Mass Care: Sheltering, feeding, bulk distribution of emergency items, and family reunification
- Emergency Services: Supporting vulnerable populations and providing support to affected survivors
- Human Services: coordinating with partners and stakeholders to provide emergency assistance programs
Branch: Human Services
Lead Agency: Florida Department of Children & Families
ESF 7 assists in planning, coordinating, and managing resource support through the following functions:
- The Real Estate Development Team (REDM) assists in finding the real estate for base camps when none is immediately available and sets up memorandums of understanding (MOUs).
- DMS collaborates with state agencies to research and compile contracts, known as MAP, by preparing a list of proposed SOW and RFP to be distributed, followed by vendor selection, while the team at mission control monitors and obtains quotes and prices.
Branch: Vendor Services
Lead Agency: Florida Department of Management Services, Division of Purchasing
Link: https://www.dms.myflorida.com/business_operations/state_purchasing
ESF 8 helps to coordinate Emergency Medical Services (EMS) mutual aid resources for local responders and facilitates mobilization of federal medical resources to support SERT (State Emergency Response Team) operations.
Branch: Emergency Services
Lead Agency: Florida Department of Health
ESF 10 helps to provide state support to local governments in response to an actual or potential discharge or release of hazardous materials resulting from a natural, manmade, or technological incident and coordinate the appropriate response to other environmental protection issues.
Branch: Emergency Services
Lead Agency: Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Link: https://floridadep.gov/
ESF 11 purchases and delivers bulk food, water, and sometimes ice (for medical purposes) to impacted local governments or non-profit partners.
Branch: Vendor Services
Lead Agency: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Link: https://www.fdacs.gov/Consumer-Resources/Health-and-Safety/Emergency-Support-Function-11
ESF 12 assists in the recovery from shortages or disruptions in the supply and delivery of electricity or natural gas. ESF 12 achieves this through the following primary functions:
- Supports local agencies and utility companies with the restoration of power in impacted areas.
- Monitors the integrity of power supply systems and availability of generating capacity and reserves.
Branch: Infrastructure
Lead Agency: Florida Public Service Commission
ESF 13 provides military support through the Florida National Guard (FLNG) and the Florida State Guard (FSG) to the State of Florida during an activation. ESF 13 achieves its mission through the following functions:
- Coordinate, employ, and control the FLNG, FSG, and military resources.
- Assist civil authorities with the protection of life and property.
- Maintain peace, order, and public safety, as directed by the Governor and Adjutant General of Florida.
Section: Command
Lead Agency: Department of Military Affairs, Florida National Guard
Link: https://fl.ng.mil/About/Florida-Department-of-Military-Affairs/
ESF 14 coordinates with state, local, and federal partners to develop messaging for the Florida State Emergency Response Team (SERT). ESF 14 serves as Florida's Joint Information Center (JIC) and achieves its mission through the following functions:
- Amplifying local messaging that is critical for Floridians to prepare for, respond to, and recover from the impact of an emergency.
- Disseminating information through press conferences, press releases, social media, FloridaDisaster.org information page, and the State Assistance Information Line (SAIL).
- Responding to media requests as the only point of contact for official information.
Section: Command
Lead Agency: Executive Office of the Governor, Office of Communications
Link: https://www.floridadisaster.org/dem/Executive-directors-office/media/
ESF 15 provides the central point of coordination, information, and activities of volunteer organizations responding in times of disaster, and the effective utilization of donated cash, goods, and services.
Branch: Human Services
Lead Agency: Governor’s Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service (Volunteer Florida)
Link: https://www.volunteerflorida.org/emergency-management/
ESF 16 supports local law enforcement agencies with state law enforcement personnel, equipment, as well as coordinates statewide mutual aid of local law enforcement resources.
Branch: Emergency Services
Lead Agency: Florida Department of Law Enforcement
ESF 17 coordinates the state’s response for animal, agricultural, food safety, and vector control issues in case of any emergency situations.
Branch: Human Services
Lead Agency: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Link: https://www.fdacs.gov/Consumer-Resources/Animals/Animal-Related-Emergency-Response
ESF 18 provides situational awareness, resource sharing, incident action planning, and resource coordination to the private sector. It assists in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters. ESF 18 achieves its mission through the following functions:
- Coordinating local, state, federal, private sector, Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and community groups efforts to restore critical infrastructure essential for business operations.
- Guiding businesses through providing support and assistance to implement business continuity plans.
Section: Command
Lead Agency: Florida Department of Commerce
Link: https://www.flchamber.com/create-a-disaster-plan-for-your-business/
ESF 19 has the primary role of coordinating the provision of emergency fuel supplies to ensure that adequate amounts are delivered to support response activities.
Branch: Infrastructure
Lead Agency: Florida Division of Emergency Management
Link: https://www.floridadisaster.org/dem/response/infrastructure/
ESF 20 provides support for cybersecurity incident monitoring and response during a SEOC activation. It coordinates cybersecurity personnel from support agencies and entities to provide awareness and technical expertise during activations. ESF 20 achieves its mission through the following functions:
- Coordinating cyber incident response efforts during emergencies.
- Organizing cyber exercise and training programs to enhance the preparedness and resilience of stakeholders.
Section: Command
Lead Agency: Florida Department of Management Services, Florida Digital Services
