By: Chad B. White
In advance of the 2025 hurricane season, Lee County’s Horizon Council Business Issues Committee hosted a Business Emergency Preparedness Workshop at the newly expanded Lee County Public Safety Center in Fort Myers. The event offered local business owners firsthand insight into preparing their operations and employees for potential natural disasters while showcasing the region’s state-of-the-art Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
A FORTRESS FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE
The Lee County Public Safety Center, formerly known as the EOC, is located at 2675 Ortiz Avenue and recently underwent a $38.5 million expansion. Originally built in the 1970s as a nuclear fallout shelter, the facility now spans over 70,000 square feet, with the new addition accounting for more than 36,000 of those. It is built to withstand 200+ mph winds and a Category 5 storm surge, positioned 32 feet above sea level. The hardened structure houses critical county functions including Emergency Management, 911 Dispatch, EMS, and Sheriff Communications, as well as the Department of Transportation’s traffic monitoring operations.
Designed to operate independently for up to 10 days without external support, the facility includes three 1,250 kW generators, backup potable water and sewer systems, chillers, and fuel reserves. Its communications hub is outfitted with climate-controlled workstations, five-monitor setups, circadian lighting, and modern data infrastructure to ensure 24/7 readiness.
EMPOWERING BUSINESSES TO PREPARE
John Shultz, Chief of Emergency Management, opened the workshop by emphasizing the three pillars of business storm preparedness: continuity, safety, and resilience. “The ability to rebound after a storm begins long before landfall,” he said. “Business owners must ensure not only that their buildings are secure, but also that their employees are personally prepared.”
Elizabeth Goldbach, Director of the Florida Small Business Development Center at Florida Gulf Coast University, followed with an overview of how small businesses can access capital through the Small Business Administration (SBA). She provided attendees with planning checklists and financial preparedness tools to navigate both the pre-storm and recovery phases.
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AND REAL-WORLD ADVICE
Attendees learned how their businesses can support regional relief efforts by offering parking lots, warehouses, or open land as staging areas post-disaster. Those who might grant emergency access to secured facilities were advised to prepare authorization letters and identification credentials for designated employees.
A panel discussion included experts from key sectors:
- Butch Swank, the Owner of Goodlad and Swank Insurance, representing the insurance industry, outlined best practices for filing claims and understanding coverage.
- Mary Gentile, CRX, CSM, the President and Principal of LQ Commercial Property Management, offered insights on building security and tenant communication.
- Tiffany Allard of Suncoast Credit Union discussed how banks maintain operations during and after a storm.
FACILITY TOUR UNDERSCORES PREPAREDNESS COMMITMENT
After the presentations, Kevin Gigras (Emergency Management Coordinator) and Thomas Robertson (Mitigation & Accreditation Coordinator) led attendees on a tour of the facility. From backup generators and secure data rooms to employee sleeping quarters and safe rooms, the tour highlighted the county’s deep investment in readiness and inter-agency coordination.
The Public Safety Center can support 100–150 personnel during normal operations and scale to over 250 during a full emergency activation. Amenities include full kitchens, showers, restrooms, and decompression spaces to support responders during extended activations.
KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR BUSINESS OWNERS
The workshop served as a reminder that true preparedness begins with people. Business owners were encouraged to ensure their employees have storm plans in place for their families first—because if their home life is secure, they’ll be better equipped to help businesses recover.
“Test your plans before the storm,” one speaker emphasized. “You don’t want to discover what’s missing when it’s too late.”
As hurricane season begins, the Lee County Public Safety Center stands ready. With continued collaboration between the public and private sectors, the region is better equipped than ever to weather the storm.
