Emergency services in Florida are highly coordinated, particularly due to the state's regular exposure to severe weather and hurricanes.
* **Emergency Number:** 911 is universally used for police, fire, and medical emergencies. * **Law Enforcement:** The **Florida Highway Patrol (FHP)** monitors state roads and highways, while the **Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)** handles state-wide investigations. Local law enforcement is managed by county sheriff's offices and municipal police departments. * **Fire and Rescue:** Provided by municipal fire departments and county-level fire rescue services. The **Florida Forest Service** plays a critical role in managing and responding to wildfires. * **Disaster Management:** The **Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM)** is the central agency for disaster preparation and response. FDEM coordinates heavily with FEMA, local emergency operation centers, and the National Hurricane Center (located in Miami) to manage evacuations, shelters, and recovery efforts during hurricane season.