Manatee County Commission Approves Establishment of Multi-Agency Task Force
The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) voted Tuesday to approve the establishment of the Manatee County Task Force, a multi-agency team designed to strengthen emergency response capabilities through enhanced collaboration, training, and shared resources among local agencies.
The Manatee County Task Force formalizes an existing network of highly trained personnel, equipment, and resources already available throughout Manatee County under a state-recognized structure. Participating agencies will continue working together while receiving additional training to further strengthen response efforts during complex emergencies.
“This approval reflects our commitment to building upon the strong public safety partnerships that already exist throughout Manatee County,” said Commissioner Mike Rahn, “By bringing these agencies together under one coordinated structure, we are strengthening our ability to respond to complex emergencies and creating a more unified response capability for our community.”
Participating agencies include Manatee County Public Safety, North River Fire District, West Manatee Fire Rescue, Bradenton Fire Department, Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue, South Manatee Fire Rescue, and South Manatee Fire Rescue HazMat Team.
Unlike day-to-day emergency response operations, the task force will bring together multiple specialized disciplines under one coordinated response team designed to handle large-scale, complex, and prolonged incidents.
The team will be capable of responding to incidents such as hurricanes, building collapses, marine and swift water rescues, and no-notice events, whether natural or man-made. Specialized disciplines within the task force will include building collapse rescue, trench rescue, tower rescue, high- and low-angle rope rescue, advanced vehicle and machinery rescue, and hazardous materials response.
“We already have the people, the equipment and the expertise,” said Manatee County Public Safety Director Jodie Fiske. “By bringing these resources together, we are creating a stronger, more unified response capability for Manatee County.”
The next step for the Manatee County Task Force is to undergo an official assessment and receive designation as Task Force 11 through the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM).