Speaker Renner receives emergency preparedness award for ‘outstanding leadership’

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, received the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association Legislative Achievement Award for “outstanding leadership” regarding emergency management in the state.

As part of “Emergency Management Day at the Capitol,” St. Johns County Emergency Management Deputy Director Kelly Wilson and Flagler County Emergency Management Director Jonathan Lord presented Renner with the award.

“As a member of both the Flagler and St. Johns County Legislative Delegations, I am committed to working with my colleagues to provide critical funding and programs our local governments, businesses, and residents need to preserve our coastal communities,” Renner said.

“Florida’s peninsula is uniquely vulnerable to hurricane threats, and when disaster strikes, we have an obligation to act,” he continued. “Thanks to the dedicated work of so many across our state, our communities have been able to recover faster and will continue to build so future generations can enjoy everything our region has to offer.”

The award is presented to a local, state, or federal legislator for outstanding leadership in sponsoring legislation that improves emergency management in the state, according to a press release.

“It is an honor to present Speaker Renner with the FEPA Legislative Award,” Wilson said. “His leadership and support for our communities have been invaluable during the difficult recovery phase of several major hurricanes. We are grateful for his tireless efforts that have served as a steadying force enabling so many affected families and businesses to rebuild. Speaker Renner exemplifies the core tenets of this award.”

Wilson and Lord are both active participants within the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association. Lord nominated Renner for the award.

“Under Speaker Renner’s leadership, the Legislature has navigated the impacts of two catastrophic hurricanes – Ian and Idalia – in addition to Hurricane Nicole,” Lord said. “In response to these significant disasters, the Legislature has passed historic legislation providing unprecedented funding and programs for local governments, businesses, and residents.”

Under Renner, the Florida Legislature has passed multiple bills regarding hurricane recovery, including the expansion of the “My Safe Florida Home Program,” which allows state homeowners the opportunity to protect their homes against natural disasters while reducing the cost of insurance premiums.

“These programs have allowed communities to recover quicker and build back in a more resilient fashion,” Lord continued. “It takes a true leader, such as Speaker Renner, to sort through the competing demands to ensure the success of the most critical programs and projects.”

In 2023, Lord was invited twice to address the Florida House Select Committee about hurricane resiliency and recovery as part of a panel discussion that included representatives from Lee, Charlotte, Collier, and Volusia counties, according to a press release.

All five counties suffered impacts from either Hurricane Ian or Hurricane Nicole.

“It was a pleasure to nominate Speaker Renner after all he has done for Floridians to improve hurricane resiliency and recovery. He always lends an ear to emergency management,” Lord said. “It was an absolute honor to be able to present this award to him today.”