Please see the attached Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance News Release for Florida due to Hurricane Matthew on Oct. 3-19, 2016. 

The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding businesses in Florida that working capital loans are still available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and private nonprofit organizations affected by Hurricane Matthew on Oct. 3 - 19, 2016.

“Businesses that suffered economic losses as a result of the disaster and want to apply for low-interest loans from the SBA are urged to do so before the July 17 deadline,” said Frank Skaggs, Director of SBA Field Operations Center East. 
Low-interest disaster loans are available in the following counties:   Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Indian River, Lake, Marion, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Putnam, Saint Johns, Saint Lucie, Seminole, and Volusia in Florida; Camden and Charlton in Georgia.

Working capital disaster loans up to $2 million are available at 4 percent interest for small businesses, and 2.625 percent for private nonprofit organizations with terms up to 30 years.  The loans are intended to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other expenses that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred.   

To be considered for this assistance, eligible entities need to apply by the deadline. 
Apply online using the Electronic Loan Application via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela .

Businesses may also obtain information and loan applications by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing), or by emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.  Loan applications can also be downloaded at www.sba.gov/disaster.  
Completed applications should be mailed to: US SBA Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Rd, Fort Worth, TX  76155.
The deadline to submit applications is July 17, 2017.

-Martha L. Wagaman
 Nassau County Emergency Management

6/12/17 @ 2:00 p.m. - The Atlantic Hurricane Season began on June 1st and will continue through November 30th. Ensure your home and family are ready by preparing your emergency kit and by making sure that everyone in your household is familiar with your family emergency plan.

Attached is a Citizen's Disaster Preparedness Guide which contains important information on various types of disasters such as floods, tornadoes, fires, and extreme temperatures, as well as tips on how to prepare for each situation.

Also, don't forget to sign up for Citizen Alerts so you can receive notifications regarding a variety of topics including severe weather, road closures, power outages, evacuations, and many other emergency situations affecting the County. To sign up, please visit Emergency Management's website and click on the link for "Citizen Alerts".

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

5/30/17 @ 9:30 a.m. - The last Burn Ban issued on May 22, 2017, has expired. Citizens are now able to burn yard debris such as grass clippings, brush, leaves, limbs, and any other related item resulted from yard maintenance.

According to the Florida Department of Agriculture, yard debris can be burned under the following conditions:

• You must meet the required setbacks as depicted in the photo below
• The yard waste was generated on your property
• The yard waste must fit into an 8 foot diameter pile or non-combustible container
• The fire should be ignited after 9:00 a.m. (eastern time) and must be extinguished one hour before sunset

Outdoor Burning Tips

• Avoid burning on dry, windy days
• Burn small piles, gradually adding to the fire as it burns down
• Clear all dry grass and weeds from around your pile or burn barrel
• Cover a non-combustible container with wire mesh to keep sparks from flying out
• Have a water, rake and shovel handy
• Check with Nassau County Fire/Rescue to insure there are no restrictions in place. They can be reached at (904) 530-6600.

Large Burn Piles
Piles greater than 8 feet in diameter will require:

• An authorization from the Florida Forest Service
• Suppression equipment on hand
• Additional setback requirements

For additional info, please visit the Florida Department of Agriculture website.

Please note it is ALWAYS ILLEGAL to burn household garbage including paper products, treated lumber, plastics, rubber materials, tires, pesticides, paint and aerosol containers.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

5/23/17 @ 11:30 a.m. - At last night's meeting, the Board approved a Resolution extending the Burn Ban through May 29, 2017. Though we've had some rain, yesterday's fire danger index was at a level 2 (moderate). County Officials extended the Burn Ban an additional seven (7) days and will reevaluate conditions following this week's rain. All surrounding counties continue to maintain a Burn Ban at this time as well. Pursuant to Florida Statute, Section 252.38(3)(5), burn bans can only be declared locally for seven days, however they may be extended in seven day increments as needed.

During the local state of emergency, open burning of any kind and campfires are prohibited. Additionally, the use or discharge of personal fireworks, sparklers, flares, items containing "explosive compound", and any product containing pyrotechnic composition are also prohibited.

The following activities are permitted with certain conditions:

• Use of outdoor grills and cookers if attended by a responsible adult at all times while in use.
• Any agricultural, silvicultural, or land clearing burn that has been authorized by the Florida Forest Service and if determined that there will be sufficient fire suppression equipment and personnel on site.
• Properly permitted public fireworks displays with adequate fire suppression equipment and personnel on site.
• Flares discharged over the Atlantic Ocean.

Any person violating this order is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree and will be punished as provided by Florida Statutes, Section 775.082 or 775.083. In addition to the penalties described above, any violator shall reimburse Nassau County for all costs incurred as a result of such violation, including without limitation, response and suppression costs.

To report burning, please call 9-1-1. If you have any questions related to the Burn Ban, please contact Fire Rescue Headquarters at (904) 530-6600.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

5/15/17 @ 1:25 p.m. - At a Special Meeting this morning, the Board of County Commissioners approved Resolution No. 2017-96, extending the Burn Ban through May 22, 2017. Pursuant to Florida Statute, Section 252.38(3)(5), burn bans can only be declared locally for seven days, however they may be extended in seven day increments as needed.

During the local state of emergency, open burning of any kind and campfires are prohibited. Additionally, the use or discharge of personal fireworks, sparklers, flares, items containing "explosive compound", and any product containing pyrotechnic composition are also prohibited.

The following activities are permitted with certain conditions:

• Use of outdoor grills and cookers if attended by a responsible adult at all times while in use.
• Any agricultural, silvicultural, or land clearing burn that has been authorized by the Florida Forest Service and if determined that there will be sufficient fire suppression equipment and personnel on site.
• Properly permitted public fireworks displays with adequate fire suppression equipment and personnel on site.
• Flares discharged over the Atlantic Ocean.

Any person violating this order is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree and will be punished as provided by Florida Statutes, Section 775.082 or 775.083. In addition to the penalties described above, any violator shall reimburse Nassau County for all costs incurred as a result of such violation, including without limitation, response and suppression costs.

To report burning, please call 9-1-1. If you have any questions related to the Burn Ban, please contact Fire Rescue Headquarters at (904) 530-6600.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

5/12/17 @ 12:50 p.m. - Below is an update from Emergency Management's FaceBook page:

10 AM UPDATE*** Attached is a recent map showing the location of the Fire. As updates come in, they will be posted on Emergency Management's FaceBook page.

***Weather***
There is a HIGH probability of smoke this afternoon. High winds are expected today.

***Emergency Operations***
Nassau County EOC is closely monitoring the fire in Florida and have staff members set in place in Georgia monitoring it as well. The Nassau County Emergency Operations Center has been activated and there are contingency plans set in place. The County has incorporated mutual aid assistance from outside agencies if needed, and has extra staffing as well as the Florida Forestry Task Force standing by.
If anyone needs assistance or has questions, you are asked to call the Emergency Operations Center at 904-548-0900.

5/11/17 @ 4:40 p.m. - The Emergency Operations Center is currently at a Level 2 activation which means that EOC Command and General staff are represented at the EOC and are continuously monitoring the potential for wildfire in our County.

Residents west of County Road 121 and south of County Road 108 to the Duval line were advised yesterday to begin making preparations for a possible evacuation. If you have not yet signed up for citizen alerts, please take the time to do that now. The EOC will be staffed around the clock so please call (904) 548-0900 for updates anytime of day or night. You can also check their webpage and FaceBook page for continuous updates throughout the evening.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

At last night's meeting, the Board of County Commissioners approved Resolution No. 2017-95, extending the Burn Ban through May 15, 2017. Pursuant to Florida Statute, Section 252.38(3)(5), burn bans can only be declared locally for seven days, however they may be extended in seven day increments as needed.

During the local state of emergency, open burning of any kind and campfires are prohibited. Additionally, the use or discharge of personal fireworks, sparklers, flares, items containing "explosive compound", and any product containing pyrotechnic composition are also prohibited.

The following activities are permitted with certain conditions:

• Use of outdoor grills and cookers if attended by a responsible adult at all times while in use.
  
• Any agricultural, silvicultural, or land clearing burn that has been authorized by the Florida Forest Service and if determined that there will be sufficient fire suppression equipment and personnel on site.
• Properly permitted public fireworks displays with adequate fire suppression equipment and personnel on site.
• Flares discharged over the Atlantic Ocean.

Any person violating this order is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree and will be punished as provided by Florida Statutes, Section 775.082 or 775.083. In addition to the penalties described above, any violator shall reimburse Nassau County for all costs incurred as a result of such violation, including without limitation, response and suppression costs.

To report burning, please call 9-1-1. If you have any questions related to the Burn Ban, please contact Fire Rescue Headquarters at (904) 530-6600.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

At a Special Meeting this morning, the Board of County Commissioners approved Resolution No. 2017-87, extending the Burn Ban through May 8, 2017. Pursuant to Florida Statute, Section 252.38(3)(5), burn bans can only be declared locally for seven days, however they may be extended in seven day increments as needed.

During the local state of emergency, open burning of any kind and campfires are prohibited. Additionally, the use or discharge of personal fireworks, sparklers, flares, items containing "explosive compound", and any product containing pyrotechnic composition are also prohibited.

The following activities are permitted with certain conditions:

• Use of outdoor grills and cookers if attended by a responsible adult at all times while in use.
• Any agricultural, silvicultural, or land clearing burn that has been authorized by the Florida Forest Service and if determined that there will be sufficient fire suppression equipment and personnel on site.
• Properly permitted public fireworks displays with adequate fire suppression equipment and personnel on site.
• Flares discharged over the Atlantic Ocean.

Any person violating this order is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree and will be punished as provided by Florida Statutes, Section 775.082 or 775.083. In addition to the penalties described above, any violator shall reimburse Nassau County for all costs incurred as a result of such violation, including without limitation, response and suppression costs.

To report burning, please call 9-1-1. If you have any questions related to the Burn Ban, please contact Fire Rescue Headquarters at (904) 530-6600.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

Though the last Burn Ban was issued through Wednesday, April 26th, the Board went ahead and approved a new Resolution extending the Burn Ban through May 1, 2017 in lieu of having a Special Meeting on Wednesday to extend it. Florida Statute, Chapter 252.28(3)(5) only allows for local governments to issue Burn Bans in 7 day increments. Attached is a copy of the new Resolution No. 2017-85.

The Burn Ban still applies to burning of yard debris and trash and does not pertain to cooking on monitored barbeque equipment or permits issue by the Florida Forest Service.

If you suspect someone of burning, please call 9-1-1. Any calls related to the Burn Ban should be directed to Nassau County Fire/Rescue at (904) 530-6600.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office