FORTS 38 
C-FORTS 96 
ACE 463L Surfside response · 2021
FORTS 38 Supported Command and Coordination at Surfside
During the response to the June 2021 Surfside building collapse, FORTS shelters provided workspace for Miami-Dade Fire Rescue command and support teams. The deployment brought several operational functions close to the incident.
Originally published · Updated
Space for the teams behind the response
Miami-Dade County’s December 3, 2024 memorandum records the use of FORTS shelters at Surfside for planning and administration, chaplaincy and mental-health support, medical support, K9 teams, public information and base-camp activities.
These different functions needed working space alongside the response. The shelters supported the teams coordinating and sustaining operations near the incident.
FORTS 38 in the field
The FORTS 2026 product catalog identifies this deployment as a FORTS 38 application supporting Urban Search and Rescue coordination. The units provided enclosed, climate-controlled operational workspace.
The photograph above comes from the original FORTS article and shows shelters at the Surfside response site.
Plan the facility around its role
The Surfside example illustrates why emergency planning includes space for coordination and support as well as frontline operations. Start with the teams, workstations, equipment and access each function needs.
From there, define the interior layout, site services and transport plan. A single command unit or a connected facility can be developed around the operation; the appropriate platform and configuration depend on those requirements.
About this historical account
This story was originally published on May 2, 2024. It has been updated using Miami-Dade County’s December 3, 2024 memorandum (File 241703) and the Surfside deployment account on page 11 of the FORTS 2026 product catalog.
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