Welcome to

Governor-Elect Charlie Crist made four new appointments today. Craig
Fugate, who is the current head the state’s emergency management agency
will keep his job under Crist. the governor-elect is also creating a
deputy director position at Emergency Management that will be filled by
Miami Fire department Operations Chief Ruben Almaguer

The new deputy goes into the job with open eyes. “Florida has been the leader in emergency management, at least every place I have been. And I want to continue to work with the Governor as well as with Craig to make sure this great state is very well prepared. That all of the public servants, police officer, firefighters, emergency workers, have the equipment they need and the training, and continue working with the 67 counties of this state, so that we can partner with them and prepare them for the next evert, either the natural disaster that occurs or that future terrorist event that may occur.”

Craig Fugate says his reappointment was not expected. “His leadership style is one that embraces bring in the people and give them the mission. And he gave me a present. I don’t think if I had been out there asking and looking for someone like Ruben I could have got him to come work for me. And the fact that the Governor Elect asked and gave me the deputy position is again, going back to what he said in the campaign, The Division of Emergency Management is now transition to reporting to the governors office has got to have the resources to do the job. And by asking Ruben to join the team, we;’re going to be better and stronger for the next disaster, whatever it may be.”

Fugate has served under three governors. Lawton Chiles, Jeb Bush, and now Governor-Elect Charlie Crist.