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Nassau County, Florida

Welcome to beautiful Nassau County, located in the northeast corner of Florida along the Atlantic Ocean and Interstate 95. We are proud to serve as the Eastern Gateway to the Sunshine State. From our historic island, sandy beaches, and championship golf courses to our scenic rivers, green pastures, and majestic timberlands, we truly offer something for everyone.

Nassau County Holds Table-Top Exercise to Evaluate Local Infectious Disease Outbreak Response Plans

12/31/2014

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In October 2014, Nassau County Emergency Management assembled a multi-agency Incident Management Team (IMT) to organize local activities related to the well-publicized Ebola public health threat.  The IMT meets regularly to ensure response readiness throughout the county. 

On December 5th, the Florida Department of Health in Nassau County (DOH-Nassau) held a discussion-based exercise to evaluate local infectious disease outbreak response plans.  Representatives from Nassau Co. Emergency Management, DOH-Nassau disease control, epidemiology, and environmental health, Baptist Medical Center, Century Ambulance, and the County’s Fire/Rescue, School District Transportation Department, Animal Services, and Sheriff’s Office.  DOH-Nassau’s emergency preparedness and disease control experts facilitated the Ebola Virus exercise which allowed interested agencies to discuss consequences of a widespread outbreak in our community.  They reminded everyone that new strains of influenza virus kill thousands of citizens every year and recommended getting flu shots early, as well as frequent hand-washing to stop the spread of contagious diseases.

The December 5th table-top exercise also stressed problem-solving using current plans, capabilities and capacities, while providing a forum for officials to brainstorm about ways to apply best-practices to address local concerns.  Participants discussed resource limitations, authority necessary to implement disease control plans, prioritization of services, and continuity of critical operations with a depleted staff.  Everyone recognized the importance of media relations and controlling rumors that might lead to public panic.  Emergency Management Director, Billy Estep, stressed the necessity for plan integration, a common operating picture, and consistent unified messaging in any disaster response. 

The exercise identified several Nassau County strengths:  hospital, rescue, and law enforcement staff are trained on operational plans, and agencies routinely evaluate and coordinate response plans to prepare for all hazards.  However, the relatively small size of our public service agencies creates resource gaps when personnel are needed to fully activate the Emergency Operations Center. Some response roles might have to be filled by trained volunteers.  Local leaders participating in the exercise agreed that improving the public information system is a priority.  They recommended continued face-to-face interaction and workshops so that key personnel would be well-familiar with individuals from other agencies with whom they will be working when a disaster strikes. 

- Martha Wagaman
 
Emergency Management Coordinator/Senior Planner
 
Nassau County Sheriff’s Office

 

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Ground Breaking Ceremony Scheduled for New Sheriff Administration Building

12/18/2014

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A Ground Breaking Ceremony for the new Sheriff Administration Building is scheduled for Monday, December 22, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. The location is 77079 Robert E. Williams Drive in Yulee, next door to the Nassau County Jail and Emergency Operations Center. The public is invited to attend.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office
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County Manager Presents Annual Report

12/17/2014

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At today's Board of County Commissioner's meeting, Nassau County Manager, Ted Selby, presented his annual report as required by his employment contract. This report features the County's major accomplishments for Fiscal Year 2013/2014 which ended September 30, 2014, as well as goals for the current Fiscal Year. A copy of the presentation can be found here, or you can visit the County's website to watch the video.

Please note that the accomplishments were so extensive that not all of them could be featured in the presentation. However if you visit the County's website, you can go to each individual department's page to view an entire list of accomplishments, as well as the department's goals for the current year.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

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Ground Breaking Ceremony for New 911 Call Center

12/16/2014

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On November 10, 2014, the Board of County Commissioners hosted a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the upcoming construction of a new 911 Call Center. The new call center consists of a 5,000 square foot addition to the existing Emergency Operations Center where emergency personnel actively evaluate and update strategies related to a variety of emergency situations including but not limited to: how to respond to natural and man-made disasters; how to evacuate the county quickly and efficiently; where to establish emergency shelters during inclement weather; and how to handle dangerous situations such as bomb-threats and disease outbreaks.

The seven employees that make up 911 Dispatch are currently located at the dilapidated Sheriff Administration Building on SR200/A1A in a 2,000 square foot room with no windows and a roof that occasionally leaks. Dozens of tangled wires hang from the ceiling creating a potential fire hazard. The tiny, outdated room has no additional space for employees to complete important paperwork, no place to hold training, no break room and no room for growth. 911 Dispatch employees are specially trained to answer and dispatch for all 9-1-1 calls received in Nassau County, including those related to Fire & Rescue. County Officials agree that 911 Dispatch needs to be relocated to a modern facility that is both safe and functional. They also feel that the citizens would be best served if 911 Dispatch and other emergency personal were located in one facility where they could utilize one unified dispatch system.

The bid for construction of the 911 Call Center was awarded to ACON Construction at the July 28, 2014 Board of County Commissioner's meeting. A Notice to Proceed was issued in November 2014 and it is anticipated that the 911 Call Center will be completed in the fall of 2015.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office


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Winter Holiday Safety

12/9/2014

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According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 30% of home fires and 38% of home fire deaths occur during the months of December, January, and February. Following a few simple steps can help ensure that your family and friends stay safe this holiday season.

Before purchasing a live Christmas tree, test the tree for freshness by flexing the needles between your fingers. If the needles break off easily, the tree is too dry and is at a higher risk of catching fire. After bringing a tree home, be sure to water it daily to maintain the tree's moisture. If you choose an artificial tree, look for one with the "Fire Resistant" label. Remember that all trees should be placed at least three feet from heat sources to reduce risk of fire.

While holiday lights and decorations contribute to the excellence of the season, they can significantly increase the risk of fires and electrical injuries if not used safely. When decorating, be sure you use only UL approved decorations and discard any lights with worn or broken cords. Additionally, don't forget to turn off all lights before leaving home or going to sleep.

Keep child safety in mind this holiday season by ensuring that all matches, lighters and candles are out of reach of children. Watch children closely in the kitchen and be sure they are supervised at all times, and that they remain at least 3 feet away from all cooking appliances.

With these few safety tips to help keep you safe, Nassau County Fire/Rescue wishes you all a happy, and safe holiday season.

-Jerry Marrison, Fire Inspector
 Nassau County Fire/Rescue

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County Receives Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing

12/4/2014

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At the Northeast Florida Regional Council's Annual Elected Officials Luncheon and Regional Leadership Awards Ceremony held on Thursday December 4, 2014, Nassau County won the "Regional Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing" for a recently approved housing complex. The project, The Reserve Apartments, consists of 39 units of affordable housing on 22 acres. Affordable housing is defined as a housing unit with monthly rents equal to or less than the current rents established by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation for families that earn 60% or less of the area's median income.

Nassau County's Comprehensive Plan adopted in 2010 contains a section specific to housing and the County's need for housing types that accommodate residents of all income levels, and for residents with special housing needs. Nassau County's Growth Management was instrumental in working with the developer to insure the County's objectives have been met. The department also helped acquire Right of Way to provide improved access for the community's residents to the "loop road" connecting them to work and shopping.  Growth Management Director Peter King happily accepted the award on behalf of the department.

Nassau County also submitted an application in the category of Planning and Growth Management for the recently approved East Nassau Community Planning Area. Although it was not selected, a Certificate of Achievement was awarded in recognition of significant contributions to planning and growth management in the Northeast Florida Region.

Congratulations to Peter and Staff for their achievements!

Sabrina Robertson
County Manager's Office
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