Southwest Florida is no stranger to nature’s wrath – most recently, Hurricane Milton.
"All of a sudden, it just started coming," William Rodgers, a Lee County resident, said.
The category 5 hurricane brought dangerous storm surge, high-speed winds, and relentless rainfall.
During Milton, Rodgers says he learned firsthand how unpredictable a storm can be. He ended up on the WINK News broadcast during Milton.
"Then I got live, they put me on the live stream, and that's when I was like, ‘Yeah, we're in trouble. It's coming in,’" Rodgers said.
Video shows the moment first responders rescued Rodgers after water rushed into his home.
That’s when he says he found himself sitting in a San Carlos Park Fire Department high-water truck.
“It was like an amphibian boat, but it was a truck,” Rodgers said. “You need that around here. You’ve got older people who can’t just tough it out in those situations. That truck saved lives.”
Following Hurricane Milton, several local agencies participated in what’s called an "after-action report" [AAR] to review their emergency response efforts.
“AARs help identify gaps in plans, procedures, and training, leading to more targeted preparedness activities and improved readiness for future emergencies,” a spokesperson with the Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA] said in an email.
WINK Investigates submitted public records requests to over 30 local agencies in Southwest Florida to find out what they learned post-Milton and how they’re preparing for future storms.
Of the 14 agencies that responded, eight have published after-action reports post-Milton, while at least 19 others declined to release it or say they haven’t produced one.
Though these reports are not mandatory, FEMA strongly recommends agencies produce them.
“While FEMA doesn't mandate After-Action Reports (AARs) for all emergency events, we strongly recommend them as a best practice for continuous improvement in emergency management,” a spokesperson with FEMA said in an email.
The reason may lie in the successes agencies who produced them say they’ve seen.
“We learned that we needed a high-water vehicle, something taller,” Julie Sin, public information officer with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, said.
Saving Lives: How after-action reports highlight emergency response strengths & gaps
Of the eight after-action reports we received, WINK Investigates found high-water vehicles and advanced planning were cited as key areas of improvement for agencies that completed them.
“Right after Hurricane Milton hit, we started looking into what resources we could obtain for future hurricanes,” Sin said. “These new assets allow us to access areas we previously couldn’t during high water events.”
That’s why Sin says the sheriff’s office invested in high-water rescue trucks, costing $179,000 each, and a high-water vehicle costing $56,000.
"So the high-water rescue truck that you see behind me, that's able to go through a lot deeper water than some of our assets as well, and so it's an improvement that we made right away after the hurricane had hit,” Sin said.
Captiva Island Fire Chief Jeff Pawul said in an email the fire district’s post-storm review would be included in the Lee County Emergency Management’s after-action report.
Alva Fire Chief Jean Etcheverry, Iona McGregor Fire District Community Relations Specialist Megan Contreras and an Useppa Fire District representative all said in an email their districts would also be included in Lee County’s report.
Lee County Communications Director Besty Clayton said the county plans to post its Milton-Helene after-action report online this summer.
Before Milton struck, Greater Naples Fire Chief Chris Wolfe said their department also invested in water equipment.
“We did acquire two smaller John boats that our guys can be able to walk through water and be able to help evacuate people,” Wolfe said.
In addition, he said his department acquired five vehicles post-Hurricane Ian through a federal loaner program and land trust, which proved valuable during Milton.
Wolfe also said he’s prepared to maintain and preserve those vehicles.
"Making sure we have a solid plan in place to decontaminate the brackish or salt water off our assets, to stop salt water corrosion to our vehicle," Wolfe said.
His department acquired five vehicles post-Hurricane Ian through a federal loaner program and land trust, which he says proved valuable during Milton.
“Making sure we had a solid plan in place made all the difference,” Wolfe said.
Marco Island Fire Chief Chris Byrne said his staff is prepared too, as they deal with tropical events almost every summer.
“Our staff is experienced, prepared, and well-trained,” Byrne said. “That preparation paid off during Milton.”
The department has two high-water vehicles to operate in flood waters.
“One area we're always trying to make sure we're improving is meeting our employees' expectations, so making sure they are comfortable, cared for,” Byrne said. “It's very stressful.”
Byrne said the department has made improvements to its public works equipment so they can push debris in way of emergency routes.
“We've also invested in portable generators for our lift stations,” he said.
He said in an email all city departments participated in the after-action report process.
Punta Gorda Police’s Administrative Services Supervisor Eric Burris said in an email its after-action report gave them the opportunity “to discuss what worked well and what we need to improve to respond more effectively to the next storm.”
“It also tends to be a wish list, both of equipment and conditions we would like to see that would make the job of responding easier.”
He said the city received approval for state funding to obtain a Lenco Bearcat, which is used by law enforcement for tactical and rescue operations.
“The city applied for State funding for its own Lenco Bearcat and received approval, so we are in the first stages of adding one to our fleet,” Burris said. “We have also received a grant from the Marine Advisory Council for a “mud boat” which is capable of responding through shallow areas and water filled with debris. As our new equipment becomes available and goes online, we will be better equipped to respond to our high water issues and assist our neighboring communities, who have been so helpful to us in the past.”
Key Findings: Agencies that completed Hurricane Milton after-action reports
Eight local first responder agencies sent WINK Investigates completed after-action reports following Hurricane Milton.
Local agencies tell WINK Investigates every storm is different, therefore each storm brings different takeaways.
WINK Investigates will continue to monitor improvements made to emergency responses.
Here’s what agency that completed after-action reports post-Milton say they learned:
Lee County Sheriff’s Office
Noted challenges with water depth during rescues and identified the need for taller, high-water vehicles
Highlighted the Incident Management Team for successfully obtaining requested assets, personnel, equipment and other needs
Identified the need for digital anemometers to have “real time, and accurate, measures of wind speed for a large area”
Highlighted thorough communication between the Sheriff’s Office and government entities, Emergency Operations Centers and Public Safety Partners, remained active for the entirety of the storm.
Highlighted accurate tracking of assets
Greater Naples Fire Rescue District
Highlighted improved communication with all staff by holding nightly meetings
Identified salt corrosion posed a risk to equipment, creating the need for better decontamination protocols and high-water-capable vehicles
Mentioned that not all Greater Naples facilities are hurricane proof
Identified need to create more mental health resources for personnel by developing a peer support team
Marco Island
Highlighted communication and scheduling successes
Emphasized thorough teamwork and collaboration of each city department
Highlighted successes with shuttle service and off island staff parking
Highlighted staff preparedness and training as major strengths
Identified concerns with resident vehicles being parked off island
Identified a lack of sleeping arrangements for staff
Identified a lack of showers for public works staff
Punta Gorda Police Department
Identified a need for high-water access vehicles
Highlighted successes with more residents evacuating as a result of the aftermath of Hurricane Helene
Identified lack of sleeping arrangements for personnel
Identified one person was responsible for entering mission requests for the whole city
Identified radio etiquette “was very poor”
Identified need for all patrol vehicles to be capable of traversing through high water
Highlighted the purchase of Tahoes (or similar) and high-water rescue vehicles.
Hendry County
Identified need for improved public messaging to avoid confusion when making operational adjustments
Highlighted success with reorganizing distribution centers to maximize efficiency, and staff adapted processes mid-response to better serve the public.
Identified need to expand scenario-based training to better prepare for rare but high-impact events like tornado outbreaks.
Identified success in adaptability: “The sudden tornado outbreak was an unprecedented event. Despite this, responders adapted calmly and decisively, protecting lives and minimizing injuries in the county.”
Identified need to integrate real-time power outage reporting from utility providers for improved operational decision-making.
Highlighted quick coordination between Hendry County and partner agencies (local, regional, and state) to ensure resources and support
Collier County
Highlighted successful ordering of state fuel despite delivery issues.
Highlighted successful allocation of food, water, and shelter services
Identified the amount of sand consumed during sandbag operations as a challenge
Identified a lack of stable power to: waste water plants, potable water plants, hospitals, lift stations and traffic lights.
Clewiston Police Department
Identified the unpredictability of tornadoes “that magnitude and size”
Identified “traffic congestion on US27 from people attempting to evacuate was not as prominent as past storms, but southbound (east) was backed up for many miles as people fled south”
Identified power outages and “access to the system would be more efficient”
Highlighted successful communication
Cape Coral Police Department
Identified existing emergency plans were not fully utilized, understood, or shared
Identified resource gaps for working generators, easy access to food and emergency supplies, drinking water and ice inventory and access to Internet
Identified need to have a plan in place before hurricane season to work with partner agencies
Identified need to improve pre-storm and post-storm documentation procedures
Identified need to increase inventory of high-water vehicles and inventory for spare tires and parts
Highlighted the effectiveness of the Joint Information Center (JIC)
Highlighted the effectiveness of officers taking shelter at the department before the storm and how it “significantly impacted their readiness.”
Responses from agencies that did not release Hurricane Milton after-action reports
Of the agencies we contacted, some did not conduct an after-action report or did not respond to our request for it.
Others stated they are still finalizing their reports, have not released them, or said there was not a response record to our request:
Arcadia
“In response to your inquiry, after checking with the City Administrator, no we did not (publish or participate in an after-action report) and do not have plans to,” City Clerk Penny Delaney said in an email.
Boca Grande Fire Department
“We didn't do any after action reports for either Hurricane and weren't planning on it,” Fire Chief C.W. Blosser said in an email.
Bonita Springs Fire Department
“I just spoke with Chief DeWitt,” Public Information Officer Nicole Hornberger said in an email. “We did not do any type of After-Action post Milton or Helene.”
Cape Coral
WINK Investigates submitted a records request to obtain the city’s after-action report. Our request was denied.
“These reports are confidential and exempt pursuant to s. 119.071(2)(d),” a records custodian said in an email.
Cape Coral Fire Department
“The fire department doesn’t have any after action reports related to the hurricanes,” Public Information Specialist Andrea Schuch said in an email. “You are welcome to peruse our social media during that time to see what all we did.”
Charlotte County
“The 2024 season AAR and Ian AAR are still under review and there is a tentative plan by Admin to have them presented to the BCC for finalization in either late Oct or early Nov.,” Records and Contracts Management Coordinator Michael Wintercorn said in an email.
Clewiston
We submitted an email to City Manager Danny Williams but did not receive a response.
DeSoto County
“The after-action for Hurricane Milton has not been completed yet and still being worked on,” Director of Emergency Management Richard Christoff said.
Office Manager Sylvia Altman sent Christoff’s statement in an email on his behalf.
DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office
“There is no responsive record to your request,” Records and Warrants Clerk Lisa Mercer said.
Englewood Fire Department
“To answer your question, we did not publish or create any after-action reports for Helene and Milton,” Director of Public Relations Todd Dunn said in an email.
Estero
The Village of Estero’s Communication Specialist Marilyn Edwards sent us an after-action report for Hurricane Helene but did not send one for Milton.
Fort Myers
“Yes, the City of Fort Myers underwent organization wide After Action Reviews (AARs) following Hurricanes Helene and Milton,” Public Information Officer Noelle Casagrande said in an email. “It’s in the finalization stage and yet to be distributed internally. There are no plans to post it on the city website since mainly intended for City staff.”
Fort Myers Beach
“The Town of Fort Myers Beach did not produce any after action reports for Hurricanes Helene or Milton,” Town Clerk Amy Baker said in an email.
Fort Myers Beach Fire District
“While we do evaluate the effectiveness of our response to storm events, they generally do not result in written reports,” Fire Chief Scott Wirth said in an email. “Rather, we take our lessons learned and incorporate them into our response policies and procedures.”
Glades County
“We have not completed an After Action for Helene or Milton,” Emergency Management Director Marisa Shivers said.
Glades County Sheriff’s Office
“Glades County Sheriff Office does not have any after action reports for Hurricane Milton or Hurricane Helene,” Records Clerk Jessica Perez said in an email.
Immokalee Fire Department
Iona-McGregor Fire Department spokesperson said they do not conduct written reports, but do hold meetings)
Lee County
“When the Milton-Helene AAR is ready, it will be posted online. That will happen this summer,” Communications Director Betsy Clayton said in an email.
She said the report will be inclusive of law enforcement and Lee County fire district partners.
Lehigh Acres Fire Department
“We don’t have anything – our District experienced minimal issues through both storms,” Public Relations Officer Katie Heck said in an email.
North Fort Myers Fire District
“We do not have a hurricane after action plan related to Hurricane Milton and Helene,” Public Education Officer Christi Fulton said in an email. There are no plans to do so.”
North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District
“I spoke with my Deputy Chief, and we did not participate in or publish any after action reports related to Hurricanes Helene or Milton,” Public Education Officer Heather Mazurkiewicz said in an email.
San Carlos Park Fire Department
“Our district did not complete or participate in an after-action review/report for either Hurricanes Helene & Milton,” Executive Assistant and Records Management Liaison Coordinator Jennifer Bossi said in an email.
Sanibel
Public Information Officer Eric Jackson said Sanibel’s after-action report is being drafted for counsel.
South Trail Fire Department
“South Trail Fire & Rescue does not have any published after-action reports related to/following Hurricanes Milton & Helene,” Director of Public Relations Amy Bollen said in an email. “We do not plan on releasing such a report.”
Tice Fire Department
“We did not have any after action reports and do not plan to,” Fire Chief Michael Runk said in an email.
Useppa Island Fire Rescue
WINK Investigates emailed Ussepa Island Fire Rescue in June through its contact portal.
"Yes, Useppa Fire stayed involved with all daily conference calls through the Lee County Fire Chiefs Association and including an after-action review of all storms,” a spokesperson said. “Because we do this as a group when we are in a State of Emergency all reports and minutes are kept by the LCFCA. In addition, Useppa Fire is a member of the Greater Pine Island Task Force which we also participated in during and after-action reviews. Both groups should have any material you might be looking for."
WINK Investigates is committed to following up with agencies that say they are still working on their after-action reports.
We will update you as we learn more.