Miami-Dade County Tax Collector Dariel Fernandez joined Florida Governor Ron DeSantis at Florida International University for a press conference focused on strengthening emergency management and preparedness across the state. The announcement brought together state and local leaders to highlight the importance of coordination, planning, and readiness before emergencies occur.
Fernandez emphasized that Miami-Dade County’s size, geography, and exposure to hurricanes and severe weather make strong emergency planning especially important. Effective preparation requires cooperation among state agencies, local governments, first responders, public institutions, and community organizations so residents can receive clear information and essential assistance when it matters most.
“As your Miami-Dade County Tax Collector, I believe strong coordination between state and local leaders is essential to protecting our residents,” said Tax Collector Dariel Fernandez. “Emergency preparedness is not something that begins when a storm is already approaching. It requires planning, communication, and leadership long before a crisis occurs. I applaud Governor DeSantis for continuing to prioritize preparedness and for bringing leaders together around the shared responsibility of keeping Florida families safe.”
Fernandez also recognized the important role institutions such as Florida International University play in supporting emergency management, education, and public coordination. He noted that bringing together leaders from different levels of government helps strengthen relationships and ensures agencies are better prepared to work together when communities need them most.
Fernandez thanked Governor Ron DeSantis for the invitation and for his leadership on emergency preparedness, as well as FIU President Jeanette M. Nuñez and the Florida International University team for hosting the press conference. He reaffirmed his commitment to working collaboratively with state and local leaders to help ensure Miami-Dade remains prepared, informed, and ready to respond.
