Engineering Florida Spring 2025

Disaster Preparedness

Cyber Security Restoring Coral Reefs AND CREATING THE WORLD'S LARGEST ARTIFICIAL REEF

KEEPING INFRASTRUCTURE SAFE FROM CYBER THREATS

Keys Flooding ENGINEERING NEW RESILENCY IN MONROE COUNTY SPRING 2025

The S.S. United States has been the world's fastest ocean liner since its maiden voyage in 1952. Its final voyage will create the world's largest artificial reef off the coast of Fort Walton Beach.

Photo by Alex Fogg, Okaloosa County.

2 | ENGINEERING FLORIDA

New Ideas to Thwart Disaster(s) Across Florida, engineers are uncovering new solutions to create resiliency against the threats from Mother Nature.

ENGINEERING FLORIDA | 3

A Letter from the Editor

A

s we mark the beginning of Engineering Florida’s third year, we do so in the wake of the 2024 hurricane season, which tested the Southeast’s infrastructure, emergency response and recovery efforts, making this issue’s theme more relevant than ever.

Cybersecurity is another growing concern, as digital infrastructure is just as vulnerable as physical structures.

In this issue, we explore how complex it is to safeguard our digital infrastructure amidst endless permutations that can lead to an attack.

Florida’s unique geography and climate make us constantly at the mercy of natural and human-made threats—from rising sea levels and hurricanes to cyber threats and aging infrastructure. This issue highlights how engineers across disciplines are stepping up to confront these challenges head-on.

And, as flooding remains a persistent threat to our state, we spotlight how communities in the Florida Keys are raising their infrastructure to deal with rising tides and the construction and funding challenges they face.

Our cover feature, "Restoring Reefs in Hot Waters," examines the impact of rising ocean temperatures on Florida’s coral reefs, a critical natural defense against storm surges and erosion. We also highlight Okaloosa County’s ambitious efforts with the S.S. United States artificial reef project, demonstrating how engineering ingenuity can support marine ecosystems and coastal resilience.

As another hurricane season looms, "Planning Never Ceases: Hurricane Response Prep Takes Years-Long Focus" takes readers inside the critical role our profession plays in forecasting, infrastructure fortification, and rapid disaster response. From preparation to recovery, engineers are on the front lines of keeping communities safe before and after the storm.

04 | ENGINEERING FLORIDA

The unifying theme across these stories is preparedness— a quality that defines our profession. Engineers don’t wait for disaster to strike; we anticipate, design and build solutions that make communities stronger. As Engineering Florida continues its mission into year three, we remain committed to showcasing the extraordinary ways Florida’s engineers are leading the charge.

Stacey Butler Director of Marketing & Communications

FES | ACEC Florida

Contents Table of

30

Cover Story: RESTORING REEFS IN HOT WATERS

LAW & ETHICS:

THE DISCIPLINARY PROCESS

10

HURRICANE PLANNING NEVER CEASES

THE KEYS FIGHTING OFF FLOODING

14

22 40

SECURITY BY DESIGN F LO R I DA’ S CY B E R S E C U R I TY I N F R ASTR U C TU R E

46 52

EDUCATION UPDATE F LO R I DA CO N STR U C TI O N C A R E E R DAYS

OUT AND ABOUT F I R ST O R DE R O F E N G INEER C E R E MO N Y I N P U E RTO RI CO ENGINEERING FLORIDA | 05

Editorial Board Richard G. Acree, PE Terracon Consultants, Inc. | ACEC Florida President Rick V. Baldocchi, PE AVCON | ACEC Florida Katie Batill-Bigler, CPSM Patel, Greene & Associates | SMPS Stacey Butler, Director of Marketing & Communications FES | ACEC Florida John Constantinide, PE Director and Regional Chair, ASHRAE Region XII David Cowan, Jr, PE, ENV SP Baxter & Woodman, Inc. Charles W. Davis, Jr, Ph.D. Associate Professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University | FES President

Editor-in-Chief Stacey Butler Managing Editor Joe VanHoose Creative Direction Hannah Groseclose Contributors Thomas Ehlers Lindsey Ranayhossaini Johnathan McGinty Lauren Heighton Ad Director Meghan Shiner

Allen Douglas, Executive Director FES | ACEC Florida Charmaine Emanuels Chen Moore & Associates | FES Sunserea Gates, PE VHB | ASHE Carmelo Giglio, PE, SI United Professional Engineering | FSEA Scott Martin, PE, LEED AP, DBIA Walter P. Moore | ACEC Florida Jennifer Nix McGerald, CPSM RS&H | ACEC Florida Edie Ousley, President Yellow Finch Strategies Cherie Pinsky, Chief Operating Officer FES | ACEC Florida Meghan Shiner, Communications Coordinator FES | ACEC Florida Jignesh Vyas, PE Ardurra | ASCE Tim Wineberg, PE Michael Baker International | FES

06 | ENGINEERING FLORIDA

SPRING 2025

Calendar of Events APRIL

MAY

JUNE

10

03

05 -06 13

16 18 22 22 25 28 30

ASHE

South Florida Section Program & Social – Doing Business with the Turnpike FORT LAUDERDALE FES

Northeast Florida Chapter Leadership Cruise JACKSONVILLE ASHRAE

Central Florida Chapter Golf Tournament ORLANDO ACEC FLORIDA

Transportation Committee Quarterly Meeting JACKSONVILLE

08 1415 15

SMPS

Tampa Bay Service Day with Feeding Tampa Bay TAMPA FES

22

ASHRAE

Florida West Coast Chapter Fishing Derby HULA BAY FES & ACEC FLORIDA

Board Meeting and Planning & Orientation Meeting SARASOTA

ACEC FLORIDA

2025 Transportation Conference LAKE BUENA VISTA FES

Palm Beach Chapter 33rd Annual Golf Jamboree WELLINGTON

ACEC FLORIDA

2025 FDOT Project Management Conference CHAMPIONSGATE SMPS

Tampa Bay & AIA Tampa Bay Annual Healthcare Program TAMPA ASCE

ECB 17th Annual Icebreaker ORLANDO

Palm Beach Chapter Golf Tournament WELLINGTON FES

FECON Barrier One Concrete Admixtures Tour WINTER GARDEN ACEC FLORIDA

Region 3 & FDOT District 5 Road to your Future KISSIMMEE

ENGINEERING FLORIDA | 07

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Florida Legislative Session Underway PREPARING FOR THE YEAR OF DOGE

Allen Douglas EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, FES AND ACEC FLORIDA

Author’s Note: This article was written on Friday, March 7, 2025.

It is very general, as things can and will change quickly in the hours and days ahead before this issue is published.

The 2025 Session of the Florida Legislative Session was called to order on Tuesday, March 4, at the State Capitol in Tallahassee. Governor DeSantis received a warm welcome from the Florida Legislature when he entered the House Chambers to deliver his State of the State Address. This is notable after three contentious special sessions over the past few weeks.

These special sessions delayed the normal process of committee meetings, legislation filing and more. The vast majority of state agency legislative packages were not filed until the last week of February, just prior to the start of the Legislative Session, and more than 1,000 bills were filed in the last two weeks before this session began.

Our lobbying team and members are working hard to get the bills relevant to the engineering and construction industries analyzed, and our legislative committee meets regularly to establish our positions.

Each year, FES and ACEC Florida invite their members to the Florida Capitol for Professional Engineers Legislative Days (PE Days) during the Legislative Session. PE Days provides our members with a platform to advocate for the engineering profession, engage with policymakers, network with peers, and contribute to the development of policies and regulations that impact the engineering industry.

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UPDATES EACH FRIDAY DURING LEGISLATIVE SESSION:

9 :1 5 A . M .

ENVIRONMENTAL BILL UPDATE 10 A.M. TRANSPORTATION BILL UPDATE 1 0:1 5 A . M .

GENERAL BILLS OF INTEREST UPDATE Visit these links to register: fleng.org/advocacy/legislative-updates acecfl.org/advocacy/legislative-updates

This year’s event is planned for March 18-19, and we have 158 registrants. This important event ensures that the voice of Florida’s engineers is heard, reinforcing the role of professional engineers in shaping the state's infrastructure and economic future.

This will be the year of DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency). At the federal level, the President and Elon Musk are dismantling government agencies in an effort to improve government efficiency. The same thing is happening at the state level.

In the Department of Business and Professional Regulation package that has been filed (Senate Bill 1452 and House Bill 1461), boards for landscape architects, geologists and several others would be eliminated.

So far, the Florida Board of Professional Engineers (FBPE) and the Florida Engineers Management Corporation (FEMC), a non-profit organization that provides administrative, investigative and prosecutorial services for FBPE, are safe.

The same thing is happening in multiple bills to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and minority business enterprise (MBE) programs. In some bills, disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) and small business enterprise (SBE) programs are also on the chopping block. It is across the board; these programs are not safe.

On engineering-specific issues, we are tracking 84 bills that affect the engineering community in the Transportation, Environmental, Structural and Energy sectors.

If you are interested in our legislative issues, we hold an update each Friday during the Legislative Session via Microsoft Teams. There is an Environmental Bill Update at 9:15 a.m., a Transportation Bill Update at 10 a.m., and an update on general bills of interest at 10:15.

Links are available on our websites at fleng.org/advocacy/ legislative-updates/ and acecfl.org/advocacy/legislativeupdates/.

Editor's note: 162 professional engineers participated in the 2025 PE Days and held 74 appointments and several impromptu meetings with Legislators and staff so FES and ACEC Florida members could share their thoughts on proposed legislation for this year’s session.

ENGINEERING FLORIDA | 09

LAW & ETHICS

What Florida Engineers Need to Know About the Disciplinary Process Veronica Bayó Clifford, Esq. OF COUNSEL FOR GROSSMAN, FURLOW & BAYÓ, LLC IN TALLAHASSEE.

E

ngineering is a highly regulated profession in Florida, with strict professional standards enforced by the Florida Board of Professional Engineers (FBPE).

The FBPE ensures that engineers uphold public safety, welfare and trust by following established laws and regulations.

The FBPE is responsible for regulating the engineering profession in Florida, and it has the authority to:

• • •

Investigate complaints against licensed engineers.

Determine if disciplinary action is warranted.

Impose penalties, including fines, license suspension or revocation.

Engineers may find themselves facing disciplinary action for a variety of reasons. All the possible grounds for discipline are enumerated in Section 471.033, F.S., and Section 455.227, F.S. These include matters such as violating the Florida Engineering Practice Act; engaging in fraud, negligence, incompetence or misconduct; making misleading, deceptive or fraudulent representations in the practice; and signing and sealing documents that were not prepared personally or under the engineer’s responsible supervision.

What to say and how to respond is important and varies from case to case. It is a good idea to consult a legal professional at this stage. Providing a response without understanding the possible consequences can be a mistake.

Once the investigation is complete, a report will be prepared with all documents gathered during the investigation, including response(s) and exhibits if any were submitted. If the case was sent to an expert for review, that expert opinion will be part of the investigative file.

If the engineer affirmatively requested a copy of the investigative file in the initial response, a copy of that file will be provided. The engineer will have 20 days to provide a response.

This is a critical stage in the process. A good response, supported by additional pertinent documentation including expert opinions in support of the engineer’s practice (or rebutting the Board expert’s opinion), can make a huge impact. Pointing out any remedial measures taken to avoid a similar occurrence, such as additional training or protocols implemented, is also important.

You can be disciplined for fraud or misrepresentation in obtaining or renewing a license. Being convicted of a crime related to the practice of engineering can also be cause for disciplinary action.

The case will then be ready for presentation to the probable cause panel. The panel is composed of two to three members, some of whom may be current or former Board members. Their role is not to determine the ultimate guilt or innocence, but instead to determine if there are reasonable grounds (“probable cause”) to believe that a violation occurred and that the licensee is responsible.

An engineer cannot be disciplined by the FBPE for being “unethical” or for violating a provision of an ethics code.

However, many ethical violations are covered under the board’s definition of misconduct in Rule 61G15-19.001(6), F.A.C.

The panel has the option to dismiss the case, find probable cause (in which case a formal Administrative Complaint will be issued), send the case back for an expert review or to gather additional information, or close the case with a Letter of Guidance, which will not constitute formal discipline.

For example, the NSPE Code of Ethics declares that it is unethical for an engineer to perform services outside of his or her area of competence. The board defines this behavior as misconduct.

All materials regarding the investigation of a case are confidential until 10 days after the investigation ceases to be active, which means 10 days after the case is either dismissed or probable cause is found. This is unique to engineers, as under most practice acts, complaints and their corresponding investigative files that are closed without a finding of probable cause remain confidential.

The disciplinary process typically begins with a complaint filed with FBPE. The FBPE’s investigators conduct preliminary fact gathering, but the formal investigation stage begins when the licensee receives a Notice of Investigation. The Notice advises the licensee that a complaint has been made against them and invites a response within 20 days.

10 | ENGINEERING FLORIDA

If the case is either dismissed or closed with a Letter of Guidance, there is no disciplinary record. Keep in mind, however, that anyone can make a public records request.

In the event an Administrative Complaint is filed, the licensee will be served with a copy of the Administrative Complaint, an Election of Rights form and, in some cases, a proposed Settlement Stipulation. There is a 21-day requirement for responding to the Administrative Complaint.

Depending on the severity of the violation, FBPE may impose:

• • • •

Understanding the procedures, rights and potential consequences can help engineers navigate complaints effectively. Avoiding them altogether is even better, and the best way to do that?

•

Practice at the highest possible standard. Ensure that your plans, specifications or other documents are complete and otherwise comply with the appropriate Responsibility Rules.

•

Respond Promptly: Timely response to complaints and FBPE inquiries can impact case outcomes.

•

Comply with Ethical Standards: Regularly review and adhere to the various Codes of Ethics adopted by the NSPE, ASCE, IEEE and others.

•

Seek legal counsel.

Fines and administrative costs.

Probation with specific conditions.

License suspension or revocation.

Mandatory continuing education or remedial training.

The Board’s discretion regarding the imposition of penalties is not unbridled. The law requires that each Board adopt a rule establishing the usual and customary range of penalties for each violation.

The Board’s Disciplinary Guidelines rule is 61G15-19.004, Florida Administrative Code. The guidelines are expressed in terms of a minimum to maximum range for each violation, taking into consideration whether it is a first offense or a repeat offense. The Board is entitled to deviate from these guidelines if it finds aggravating or mitigating circumstances.

Moving projects forward

An article from an attorney would not be complete without a disclaimer. On that note: this article is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Engineers facing disciplinary action should seek the advice of a qualified attorney to discuss their specific circumstances. Neither the authors nor the publisher assumes any liability for actions taken based on the information in this article.

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ENGINEERING FLORIDA | 11

ASSOCIATION SPOTLIGHT

ACEC

Florida

AMERICAN COUNCIL OF ENGINEERING COMPANIES of Florida

Florida Firms Preparing for Disaster Rick V. Baldocchi, PE VICE-PRESIDENT, AVCON, INC. AND ACEC FLORIDA PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE CHAIR

Natural and man-made disasters happen on a regular basis. We all realize this because of the tragic pictures we see on the major news networks all too often. ACEC Florida firms have an inherent association with both the preparedness and response to these tragic events.

The first element is in establishing design criteria for our projects. Criteria may vary depending on the project location, the type of facility, the importance of the facility and the client’s desires.

For instance, buildings that are deemed to be of a critical nature are designed to have a higher structural capacity (hardened) than other buildings. These are typically emergency response structures (police, fire, etc.), hospitals, schools, and other facilities that may be used as shelters, as well as other potentially critical infrastructure or potentially hazardous facilities.

Municipalities are also engaging consulting engineers to harden existing buildings to reduce the risk of damage during storm events or other natural disasters. Many of these are fire stations since their response is critical after a catastrophic event, and that one building that survives could end up saving hundreds of lives.

Engineers must assess potential risks, such as wind loads, storm surges, flooding, fire, earthquakes and collisions, on every project. This design criteria must be carefully balanced with fiscal realities, as designing every building to withstand any potential event is not financially feasible. The most important aspect of design criteria is to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public.

Many structures, particularly in seismic zones, are designed to “bend but not break,” meaning the structure may be damaged but remain standing to protect the inhabitants. One option for this approach is to design specific members to fail during certain loading events, especially cyclical loading.

We have all seen the amazing collapse of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge as an example of when the loading 12 | ENGINEERING FLORIDA

frequency matches the natural frequency of the structure. A failed element can change those dynamics (harmonic motion) and actually reduce the stresses on the structure from the same loading.

There are many examples of setting specific design criteria for individual projects. This is becoming increasingly important for ACEC Florida firms as hurricanes, tornados, flooding and fires become more common.

The second element is how ACEC Florida firms can assist in responding after the storm has passed. There are numerous volunteer organizations that can mobilize engineers immediately after an event to inspect conditions and help assess the safety of the area or structures for public use. Florida airports have been known to have ACEC Florida firm members on notice to respond as soon as they are physically safe after a hurricane to assist in getting the airport operational as quickly as possible.

Another example was the rebuilding of the Sanibel Causeway after Hurricane Ian destroyed the only access to the island. This was a joint effort between the Florida Department of Transportation, ACEC Florida firms and contractors to rebuild a temporary causeway in six days to allow utility crews and equipment on the island to restore power. The permanent causeway was completed in 105 days – less time than it typically takes to get a firm under contract. This project is a shining example of what the engineering and contracting community can accomplish when the stakes are high, there is a common goal, and the outcome is clear.

So, whether it is before a storm hits or after it has passed, ACEC Florida firms are part of the community that helps reduce casualties due to the disaster, helps monitor safety after the event, and assists in rebuilding facilities that are more resilient to their environment and the dangers that present.

ENGINEERING FLORIDA | 13

Milton, Helene Unleash Planning Never Ceases: Destruction Hurricane ResponseAcross Prep Takes Years-Long Focus Florida Y OTM HA OSM A S LEEHRLSE, RSSTA , SFTA F FR W ITER

BY B TH EH F W ITR ER

Hurricane Helene viewed from space over Florida 14 | ENGINEERING FLORIDA

Hurricane Ian damaged several buildings along Fort Myers Beach in 2022. Photo courtesy of Thornton Tomasetti.

J

une 1 is a highlighted date among many circles, as each year it signifies the start of the Atlantic Hurricane season.

But the calendar doesn’t mean much for engineers across the Sunshine State; it’s merely a point of reference to shift resources towards increased readiness from the months and years of preparation for the potential of hurricanes.

Engineers have long played a role in the preparation and response to natural disasters, including hurricanes, and Florida is no exception.

“The State of Florida is very prepared," said Miguel Torres Diaz, vice president for federal programs within WSP, “We work directly with the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), and we have other divisions that work with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). Florida has one of the best readiness structures in the nation, and we are fortunate to be able to support the state of Florida in that respect under the partnership we hold.”

WSP holds a number of contracts, including ones with FDEM, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and more, several of which focus on deploying and assisting with power restoration and repair efforts in storm regions. The company’s contracts allow it to work with local officials up to the national level in the state.

Torres Diaz spoke to the close relationship between his firm and government entities, an important factor when responding to disasters, particularly those with moving parts and multiple stakeholders.

“It has to be a government-private sector partnership and collaboration where we are working as one.” Torres Diaz said.

“There has to be a level of commitment – a commitment to service.”

That service is best exemplified through the months of preparation before hurricane season. Chase Anderson, an associate principal at Thornton Tomasetti, noted the training during the year. With technical expertise in forensic and structural engineering, along with property loss consulting, he held a training session last year for responding engineers, highlighting specific tools for storm evaluation and safety tips across the spectrum.

“You’d be surprised how many engineers coming from college who haven’t climbed on a roof before,” Anderson said.

“Even down to the basics of setting up a ladder, we teach them to be safe, how to get off the roof.”

Torres Diaz echoed the multiple learning opportunities implemented for the next season, tests of updated technology, and completion of tabletop exercises.

“Most of this training process is completed during blue skies, so when the event comes, you aren’t trying to learn on the fly,” he said. “You want to be ready. You want to have exercises. You want to walk through the process.”

ENGINEERING FLORIDA | 15

>> PLANNING NEVER CEASES:

Hurricane Response Prep Takes Years-Long Focus

A LARGE SCALE OPERATION When a tropical storm is in the Atlantic Ocean or approaches the Gulf, Anderson calls upon individuals from his firm across the state and country to verify availability and build out a team. For Anderson’s purposes, the response time won’t be as critical.

“After a storm, there are limited resources available between power, water, food, etc., that are needed by the first responders,” Anderson said. “We typically won’t need to be there until a week or two after the storm, and by that time, people start getting back to look at their property.”

But for WSP, some of the firm’s services require a more urgent timeline, so it produces daily – if not afternoon and evening – reports to prepare its engineers.

“Projects might be similar but they aren’t the same,” Torres Diaz said. “Every disaster is unique, and every disaster requires a mindset approach that engineer-trained people are used to doing. We do have to react and address something in a particular or strategic way, and I think my engineering background has helped me to understand an order and to break down the challenge into pieces that can be digested and attacked in order to solve it.”

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During Hurricane Ian, Torres Diaz performed immediate logistics support, providing generators, pumps, technicians and engineers to parts of the state. During Helene and Milton, he was stationed in Tallahassee and Marianna, directing equipment deployment, including generator deployment to schools and hospitals, using his logistics experience to serve.

After hurricanes, some WSP engineers complete bridge inspections in accordance with National Bridge Inspection requirements. Its team has cleared 500 bridges in less than 10 days. Its engineers can complete a number of services, including debris management, utilizing its network to serve the public.

“It takes a lot of preparedness, awareness and a sense of committed service when you are called upon,” Torres Diaz said. “I think we have the flexibility at WSP that allows us to really move horizontally and vertically when we need to and even pool resources when we are required too.”

USACE and its engineers engage in a host of emergency operations in the immediate aftermath of hurricanes across the state. Hurricanes are only one type of disaster the USACE responds to, but in every instance, the organization’s top priorities are to save lives, protect

Hurricane Helene 2024 Response. State Logistics Staging Area in Marianna, Florida with team members and resources supporting the logistics mission. Photo Credit: WSP

>> PLANNING NEVER CEASES:

property and support immediate emergency response priorities across federal agencies.

Every storm and situation is different, so USACE offers a series of programs and support, including providing emergency power. Through its Emergency Power Planning and Response teams throughout the country, USACE can partner with contractors or the 249th Engineering Battalion to assess emergency power requirements and capabilities of emergency generation equipment, install, operate and maintain emergency power during an event and uninstall emergency power after the normal power grid is operational.

Debris management is another key service USACE offers.

Assigned by FEMA, USACE can complete direct assistance to remove right-of-way, emergency, private property and waterway debris, offer technical assistance to local governments, or provide oversight for state or local operations. It also operates Operation Blue Roof through FEMA, which provides temporary covering to roofs of eligible homes damaged in storms in order to prevent future damage.

Hurricane Response Prep Takes Years-Long Focus

BOOTS ON THE GROUND Completing post-storm structure assessments is a large role many engineers play. Torres Diaz noted WSP’s Housing Inspection Services (HIS), a FEMA-related service featuring over 1,000 resources for initial validation for damage to a company, ensuring fraud is limited.

Engineers at Thornton Tomasetti, WSP and other firms complete housing inspection services, a FEMA-related program that provides property assessments after hurricanes. Thornton Tomasetti’s approach as a firm with work across the engineering spectrum allows them to utilize structure assessments for enhancing future work.

“We design them, we oversee the construction of them, and we do investigations for them,“ Anderson said. “Every part, from its origination to its life to an untimely demise, we have engineers that can oversee that whole process. It gives a holistic view of what works and what doesn’t.”

The inspection process begins with a focus on the building envelope – roof, walls, etc. The focus then shifts to interior structural damage, an aspect that can be limited due to safety concerns. Newer technology like drones can be used to safely inspect the interior and top of structures.

ENGINEERING FLORIDA | 17

>> PLANNING NEVER CEASES:

Hurricane Response Prep Takes Years-Long Focus Enhanced scrutiny is critical to ensure problem points are correctly identified, Anderson said.

“One thing I enjoy about the job is I’ve done many, many roof inspections in my life, but every time I see something new,” Anderson said. “That could be due to the nature of construction, it could be something about the way the building was maintained or its ultimate use, or it also could be wind damage, which can do some crazy stuff you wouldn’t think was possible.”

Thornton Tomasetti engineers prepare a findings report after storm deployments, which is shared across the firm’s locations. These reports not only inform seasoned engineers but also train young engineers in the expected work product and logic behind evaluations. Anderson noted several lessons learned from last year’s active storm season.

“One thing I noticed was a lot of the buildings that had been properly repaired following Hurricane Ian did very well during Hurricane Milton,” Anderson said. “The building codes we have in Florida are very resilient and work assuming the construction is done appropriately and per code.

“”

In conjunction with partners, WSP assisted the State of Florida in its Emergency Transportation Support Task and responded to more than 1,000 missions for Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton.

The building codes we have in Florida are very resilient and work assuming the construction is done appropriately and per code.

CHASE ANDERSON,

Associate Principal, Thornton Tomasetti 18 | ENGINEERING FLORIDA

“The flip side is that a handful of buildings I inspected that had brand new roofs put on in recent years, but they still failed massively and had a lot of damage to the interior as a result. When I looked at them closer, I realized the work done by those contractors was subpar.”

MAKING A DIFFERENCE No matter who the client is – an insurance company, a property owner, a government entity or otherwise – an engineer’s response also touches an engineer’s call to service.

“It’s a profession that the public respects – most people tend to listen to you and value you,” Anderson said.

“There’s a flip side of the coin. Society puts a lot of trust in us as engineers, so we need to deliver on that and do our best so the Florida we live in is a happy, healthy, safe place to live for everyone.”

That service piece is particularly true for Torres Diaz. Before Hurricane Maria in 2017, he lived with his family in Puerto Rico where he worked on infrastructure for a number of years, but the cyclone drove him to a more pinpointed career trajectory.

>> PLANNING NEVER CEASES:

Society puts a lot of trust in us as engineers, so we need to deliver on that and do our best so the Florida we live in is a happy, healthy, safe place to live for everyone.

CHASE ANDERSON,

Associate Principal, Thornton Tomasetti

Hurricane Response Prep Takes Years-Long Focus “I decided to change my path, not just build more bridges and stuff and stuff and stuff,” said Torres Diaz.

“I wanted to focus on how I could go more to the basics, to service, to reach people with real need. I could apply engineering knowledge from my infrastructure experience in the aftermath and during the response of events.”

As the 2025 hurricane season quickly approaches, engineers like Anderson and Torres Diaz will continue to train and be ready for the coming storms. Torres Diaz spoke to the importance of the work engineers do surrounding hurricanes, but he acknowledged the need for more engineers in disaster work – and hopes to encourage others to join.

“Sometimes we are so focused on the projects and computers and the systems,” Torres Diaz said. “Disasters will continue to occur, and those of us who have lived a little more in our careers understand there is a gap, a need for more engineers to be involved in these services.

“At the end of the day, it is an extension of an engineer’s ethical responsibility with their communities to support, rebuild and bring them back to normalcy.”

During the 2024 hurricane season, WSP supported the State of Florida moving essential commodities from strategic warehouses to multiple locations across the state to support hurricane recovery and response efforts.

ENGINEERING FLORIDA | 19

ASSOCIATION SPOTLIGHT

ASCE

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS FLORIDA SEC TION

Florida Building Code, ASCE Resources Help Keep Florida Ready for the Next Storm Michael Olka, P.E., ENV SP SENIOR ENGINEER FOR LAKE COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS

Natural disasters, such as hurricanes, floods and tornadoes, present serious threats to human safety and property. For communities, ensuring that buildings are resilient to these hazards is not just about meeting minimum legal requirements—it's about protecting lives and minimizing economic disruption.

Preparedness includes planning for infrastructure durability, understanding risks, implementing engineering solutions, and adhering to relevant codes that regulate construction standards.

Florida, with its coastlines and frequent hurricane activity, faces the highest risk of damage from severe weather events. It is crucial for buildings in the state to be constructed in accordance with standards that reduce vulnerability to wind, flooding and other natural hazards.

“”

To ensure the resiliency of Florida’s buildings, the Florida Building Code (FBC) was first established in 2002 to create uniformity and consistency in construction standards across the state of Florida. Before its creation, local jurisdictions followed their own codes, which often led to confusion and inconsistency in building practices.

The FBC was developed in response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Andrew in 1992, which revealed the inadequacy of building standards in Florida, especially in terms of hurricane resistance. After this event, there was a push for statewide standards to improve building safety, particularly for extreme weather conditions like hurricanes.

The FBC covers everything from structural design to accessibility and energy efficiency, and it is one of the most comprehensive and stringent building codes in the country.

20 | ENGINEERING FLORIDA

The FBC governs the design, construction and maintenance of buildings in the state and sets the minimum levels for performance and durability. Florida’s vulnerability to hurricanes and tropical storms necessitates a set of stringent requirements that prioritize the safety of buildings and infrastructure in the face of natural disasters. These codes focus on ensuring that buildings can withstand extreme weather conditions and remain structurally sound during and after a disaster.

The Florida Building Code… is one of the most comprehensive and stringent building codes in the country.

Key Provisions of the FBC for Disaster Preparedness include:

•

Specifying Wind Load Requirements: The FBC mandates that buildings in hurricane-prone areas be designed to resist intense wind forces and wind-driven debris. By referencing ASCE-7, the code specifies wind load provisions based on factors such as geographic location, building type and height, ensuring structures can handle extreme weather. These provisions ensure that buildings can withstand the extreme wind forces experienced in hurricane-prone regions.

•

Flood-Resistant Design: Given the state's exposure to coastal flooding and heavy rains, the FBC requires buildings in flood zones to be elevated above base flood elevations. By referencing ASCE-24, the FBC provides detailed guidelines on elevating structures, choosing floodresistant materials and implementing techniques to minimize flood damage. The code also encourages construction techniques, such as flood barriers and watertight seals, to prevent water damage and ensure the building's integrity during flooding events.

•

Safety Systems and Backup Power: The code also ensures the inclusion of safety systems, such as backup generators and emergency lighting, for critical infrastructure like hospitals, shelters and emergency response centers. These systems help maintain operations during power outages caused by disasters.

Preparedness for disasters is not just about immediate response but also about ensuring that structures are built to endure and protect occupants in the long term. In Florida, the FBC and ASCE standards provide an essential foundation for disaster-resistant construction. By adhering to these guidelines, engineers, builders, and policymakers can mitigate the damage caused by hurricanes, floods and other natural hazards, reducing loss of life and economic impact.

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), in addition to creating the standards that are referenced in the FBC, has helped to establish the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI) to create a comprehensive sustainability framework and rating system suitable for use in civil infrastructure development.

Presentation during ASCE Annual Conference focused on "Resilience the Road to Recovery"

The ASCE Florida Section focused its 2024 conference on Resiliency with presentations that focused on disaster recovery projects in the state. The ASCE Florida Section has also hosted presentations about becoming a Structures Specialist (StS) for Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Urban Search & Rescue Response teams.

An additional resource that ASCE provides to communities is the Infrastructure Report Card, which is a report published every four years depicting the condition and performance of American infrastructure. The report assigns letter grades based on the physical condition and needed investments. This report is issued both nationally (https://infrastructurereportcard.org/) and for the State (https://infrastructurereportcard.org/state-item/florida/).

The National Report Card will be issued at the end of March, and the Florida Report Card will be issued by the end of 2025. Consider reviewing these reports to gain insights on the health and well-being of the infrastructure you rely on in your community.

Presentation during ASCE Annual Conference focused on "Resilience the Road to Recovery"

ASCE encourages its members to participate in supplemental training and credentialing such as the Envision Sustainability Professional (ENV SP) offered by ISI. Student members of ASCE also compete in the ASCE Sustainable Solutions Competition at the Student Symposiums alongside the concrete canoe and steel bridge contests.

ENGINEERING FLORIDA | 21

Fighting Off Flooding in the Florida Keys B Y L I N D S E Y R A N AY H O S S A I N I , S TA F F W R I T E R

22 | ENGINEERING FLORIDA

T

he Florida Keys have always been prone to flooding. The islands are a limestone archipelago, and the porous foundation, coupled with a low ground elevation, make the area extremely vulnerable to sea level rise and king tides.

But in 2015, what used to be referred to as “nuisance flooding” took a catastrophic shift when the usual double high tides were exacerbated by an offshore storm that pushed additional water from Florida Bay inshore. Each year, periods of flooding stretch longer and longer, and when the rains come, the water has nowhere to go on roads without a stormwater management system.

“It’s clear to us that it’s not a nuisance anymore,” said Rhonda Haag, chief resilience officer for Monroe County. “I don’t call it that anymore because it’s a slap in the face for the people who have a foot-and-a-half of

Photos courtesy of FDOT

water on the road. It’s a public problem.”

Facing projections of up to 12 inches of sea level rise by 2040, Monroe County began work in 2015 on pilot studies in two communities – Twin Lakes in Key Largo and the Big Pine Key community of Sand. The studies assessed the 20-year tidal record to determine a target roadway elevation and necessary drainage improvements.

THE ROADWAY VULNERABILITY STUDY Furthering its pilot studies, Monroe County undertook a three-year analysis of its 311 miles of county roads. The purpose of the larger study, completed by HDR, WSP, and Erin L Deady, P.A., was to predict the amounts of water that the county could anticipate in the next 25 years, determine which roadways were most vulnerable to flooding from sea level rise and king tides, and estimate the cost of adapting those roads to manage the water.

ENGINEERING FLORIDA | 23

FIGHTING OFF FLOODING IN THE FLORIDA KEYS

\When the study began, engineers treated all roadways with equal importance, collecting large amounts of data to inform which roadways most urgently needed adaptations and which could be repaired at a later time. The team relied on GIS data for a cost-effective alternative to visiting each of the 1,500 sites that would need to be evaluated.

What resulted from the study, which ended in 2023, was a plan offering conceptual designs for modifying 150 miles of roadway with an estimated total cost of $2.5 billion. Currently, $300 million worth of road adaptation projects are underway in varying phases of development.

“A lot of the resources and investment of time at the beginning went to collecting that data,” said Emilio Corrales, PE, project manager for HDR, Inc. “We had to make sure that we had the survey data on all the roadways so that when we started analyzing them we could analyze them equally.”

Construction began in August on the Twin Lakes pilot project, with the Big Pine Key project in the bidding phase.

The team completed a two-step process to score each roadway’s structural integrity and vulnerability. In this first step of the process, roads were evaluated based on factors including surface inundation, groundwater elevation, storm surges, pavement conditions and a wind wave analysis.

The second step of the process required the team to evaluate each roadway’s criticality, assessing the human factors like density of homes and access to critical services. Roadways were given scores for each of the two steps, and the roadways that scored highest were deemed to be the most vulnerable to flooding.

24 | ENGINEERING FLORIDA

CONSTRUCTION CHALLENGES

“Both of the projects have the same level of infrastructure to be implemented,” said Greg Corning, PE, senior civil engineer for WSP. “We’re raising the roadways to alleviate some of the sea level rise flooding through a stormwater system that didn’t exist previously. We're adding new pipes and new inlets along the roadways to capture that.”

The stormwater is routed through a pumped injection system that pushes the water approximately 120 feet below ground. With this new system in place, the county will be prepared for design rainfall events, as well as king tide events in the October timeframe.

During construction, the biggest challenge for engineers has been the implementation process, Corning said.

Flooded road at Stillwright Point.

Photo Credit Rhonda Haag.

“We’re implementing these pilot projects in line with a lower level of elevation for these roadways that are in residential communities,” Corning said.

“When you think about raising a roadway an extra foot above what the pilot projects are currently, that needs to be extended further out into those private properties. Obviously, some of the biggest challenges are easements for potential right-ofway acquisition for implementing the projects to allow for the roadway to be harmonized, basically connected, to those private properties.”

Engineers must also determine how to provide continued access to neighborhoods during construction, as well as implementing the projects within an existing utilities infrastructure. Some utilities must be relocated, and other utilities like power may want to move systems underground.

“We have to account for a new stormwater pipe in the ground; water, wastewater and now power wants to go underground,” Corning said.

“It’s just a challenge in terms of making sure that all that coordination is happening in the early design concepts that we’re working on right now, but also as we move into construction, ensuring that all those partners are part of the conversation moving forward.”

FUNDING CHALLENGES Implementation has not been the only area that has proven difficult in moving these roadway projects forward. Funding gaps have also created obstacles for Monroe County.

“The Big Pine project has been designed for several years already,” Haag said. “The original construction estimate was $7 million, $8 million at the most. We bid it out a couple years ago and it came in at $21 million, three times the original estimate. We thought that maybe there was some kind of error, so we rebid it. It came in even a little bit higher.”

ENGINEERING FLORIDA | 25

FIGHTING OFF FLOODING IN THE FLORIDA KEYS

For Twin Lakes, the original project estimate came in between $9 and $10 million, but the actual cost is $23.3 million, Haag said. Monroe County applied for state and federal funds based on original construction estimates and received a Resilient Florida grant for $3.9 million and a federal grant for $5.4 million through an appropriation.

we’re never going to be able to fund our projects with grant funds only. There’s going to have to be some contribution of local dollars or resident dollars to keep this program moving forward.”

“”

“That was what added up to our original construction estimate, but lo and behold, when we bid it out it came to $24 million, so the county has now had to put in $13 million of our local funds,” Haag said.

“We can’t afford that for all of these road elevation projects. We did it for this because it was a pilot project and we needed to get it funded and under construction so that we can learn from it. But funding is going to be our biggest obstacle moving forward with the resilience program in Monroe County.”

The reasons for the discrepancies between the original construction estimates were rising material costs, as well as the challenges of working in a more remote environment like the Keys.

Though roadway improvement projects promise to alleviate many of the Florida Keys’ flooding challenges, Monroe County needs an integrated concept for resilience, one that includes other factors like home elevation and managed retreat, Haag said.

Engineering solutions are important, but so are policy solutions.

Engineering is a big deal for the road elevation program...

Without that, we wouldn't be anywhere in the Keys – we wouldn't be resilient at all.

“As you move into more remote areas like the RHONDA HAAG, Florida Keys, it is more Chief Resilience Officer for Monroe County challenging to move equipment and materials down into the area,” Corning said. “It’s kind of hard to put your finger exactly on where this [high cost] comes from, in terms Still, Haag acknowledged that “the of whether it’s inflation or whether it’s just a way of roads are probably the doing business in the Keys.” biggest piece of it.”

With large hurricanes hitting the west coast of “Engineering is a big Florida in recent years, many contractors have also deal for the road elevation concentrated their operations there. program,” Haag said.

THE FUTURE “Without that, we wouldn't be anywhere in the Keys – we “We’re going to be raising our estimates from here wouldn't be resilient on out so that they can be more accurate, so when at all.” we’re applying for these grant funds we can be more accurate in the funds that we’re applying for so we’re not stuck with these shortfalls,” Haag said. “That said,

26 | ENGINEERING FLORIDA

With this new pump system in place, the county will be prepared for design rainfall events, as well as king tide events in the October timeframe. Photo Credit: Rhonda Haag.

ENGINEERING FLORIDA | 27

ASSOCIATION SPOTLIGHT

ASHRAE

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HEATING, REFRIGERATION, AND AIR-CONDITIONING ENGINEERS

Resilience a Crucial Piece of ASHRAE’s Strategic Plan John Constantinide DIRECTOR AND REGIONAL CHAIR, ASHRAE REGION XII

Resilience is at the core of what ASHRAE does.

In essence, it’s the aim of sustainability and decarbonization.

the demands of professionals and firms. As part of this evolution, ASHRAE is providing a preview of the strategic plan at www.ashrae.org/about/strategic-plan.

As ASHRAE and our built environment industry changes, our Society’s Strategic Plan evolves to meet

Here are elements of that preview.

28 | ENGINEERING FLORIDA

As I complete my term as Director and Regional Chair this June, I welcome my successor, Jason Alphonso, who is transitioning into my role and will lead ASHRAE members in Florida, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

This Strategic Plan happens to span over my successor’s three-year term.

TRANSPORTATION

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PERSONAL SERVICE. QUALITY ENGINEERING. baxterwoodman.com

As we look ahead to the next director’s term, our region is creating its strategic plan to empower engineers at the grassroots level to better leverage ASHRAE’s resources to design and construct more resilient buildings and infrastructure.

Congratulations to our own Jose E. Morales for receiving the FTBA Project Award/Utility Category for FDOT-D6 Roadway/Pedestrian Safety Improvements Grouping

877 627 3772 | colliersengineering.com Engineers • Architects • Planners • Surveyors • Inspectors • Interior Designers Landscape Architects • Environmental Scientists • Project Managers

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Restoring Reefs in Hot Waters

BY JOE VANHOOSE, MANAGING EDITOR

“” Habitat creation is a major benefit, especially in our area...

We have the country’s largest fishing fleet...moving fish every single day. As we increase the number of artificial reefs, it ensures our fishing sites aren’t getting hit too hard every day.

ALEX FOGG

Okaloosa County Natural Resources Chief

30 | ENGINEERING FLORIDA

O

n March 3, the S.S. United States, the fastest ocean liner the world has ever seen, sailed into Mobile Bay under tow on its penultimate voyage. America’s flagship’s final trip will end a few miles off the coast of Fort Walton Beach, a couple hundred feet below the Gulf surface.

The 990-foot vessel will spend the next year being stripped of all hazardous materials at Modern American Recycling Services of Alabama (MARS), a major commercial ship recycling facility. Its signature red, white and blue funnels will be removed and preserved for a museum set to be built in Okaloosa County to memorialize the ship that still holds the "Blue Riband" for the fastest Atlantic Ocean crossing ever, a record it set on its maiden voyage in 1952.

Off the coast of Fort Walton Beach, the ship will become the world’s largest artificial reef and, county and state officials hope, draw millions of divers and anglers for years to come, bringing economic and environmental benefits to the area.

“Habitat creation is a major benefit, especially in our area,” said Okaloosa County Natural Resources Chief Alex Fogg.

“We have the country’s largest fishing fleet, so that’s a lot of boats going out and fishing with customers, moving fish every single day. As we increase the number of artificial reefs, it ensures our fishing sites aren’t getting hit too hard every day.

“Creating more habitat increases the biomass of species we want to have.”

All over Florida, scientists, environmentalists and engineers are finding ways to restore coral species and create more artificial reefs to promote biodiversity, tourism and a line of defense for the state against hurricanes.

The challenge is daunting. Due to rising ocean temperatures and other factors, coral reefs across the world are becoming increasingly damaged. In Florida, a 2022 study by the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the University of Miami’s Cooperative Institute of Marine and Atmospheric Studies found that 70 percent of Florida’s coral reefs are experiencing a net loss of reef habitat.

“It’s bad, the bleaching and the mortality, the disease we’ve seen is terrible,” said Ian Enochs, the head of AOML’s Coral Program. “But we can either just sit around and talk about how bad it is or we can figure out solutions. You start poking at the solutions, and there are tools.

“Where there is a will there’s a way and where there are tools there is a path forward, so we have to focus on that.”

Photo by Alex Fogg, Okaloosa County.

ENGINEERING FLORIDA | 31

RESTORING REEFS IN HOT WATERS

THREATS TO TOURISM, INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION The value Florida’s coral reefs provide the state is multifaceted, Enochs said. The most obvious may be the tourism that the reefs generate, bringing in more than $1 billion annually in tourist spending.

The most important benefit may be how corals protect the Florida coastline – and the cities that dot it – from storm surge and wave energy. The estimated savings from these forces is $650 million a year, a significant number, Enochs said.

"I like to literally think of coral reefs as our infrastructure.” he said. “They’re no different from seawalls. They support all of this food and tourism and coastal protection. As a result, the technologies we are developing are associated with ways that we can repair our corals’ infrastructure because it is declining so much.”

32 | ENGINEERING FLORIDA

The corals in South Florida were crippled by the highly contagious and lethal Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease, which was detected initially near Miami in 2014 and swept through the entire Florida Reef Tract, the only living coral barrier reef system in the continental U.S. Data from NOAA’s National Coral Reef Monitoring Program and from National Geodetic Surveys was used to calculate the carbonate budget of The Florida Reef Tract in 2022. Out of 723 reef sites, scientists found that 506 reef sites were losing reef habitat annually.

“The (Stony Coral) disease wiped out about 50% of our hard corals,” said Jessica Miles, chair of the Environmental Science Department at Palm Beach State College (PBSC) and leader of The Reef Hope Project. “But teams of people rescued living coral and brought them into facilities that I like to think of as an ‘ark’ to keep them alive and sustain genetic lineages.”

RESTORING REEFS IN HOT WATERS

COMING TOGETHER FOR SOLUTIONS Miles has spent most of her personal and professional life dedicated to research and education regarding marine life protection. It was only natural then, she said, that she would choose a project related to this cause for her sabbatical work while at PBSC. The Reef Hope Project was created as a multidisciplinary effort that not only involved Miles’ students in environmental sciences, but also engaged art students and those studying engineering.

“I know that most environmental problems are going to require a team of dedicated people, with a whole host of skill sets to solve them,” Miles said. “So why not model this for my students and create a project that deals with real-world issues and inspires students to put their diverse knowledge and abilities into collaborative action.”

Palm Beach State was the first college in South Florida to participate in the work of the Smithsonian Institution’s

National Museum of Natural History Global ARMS Program. ARMS, or autonomous reef monitoring structures, are deployed around the world to help scientists study changes in marine biodiversity and improve ocean health.

The Reef Hope Project installed monitoring structures in and just outside the Jupiter Inlet in 2017. In August 2022, Miles and two dive teams retrieved three ARMS. Smithsonian scientists traveled from Washington, D.C., to the Smithsonian Marine Station in Fort Pierce, where they trained Miles and her team in the techniques used to examine the marine life found living in the ARMS. “What an honor to work alongside researchers from the Smithsonian Institute and to contribute to their global dataset on marine biodiversity,” Miles said. “The Reef Hope Project work created an atmosphere of discovery as we added our ‘dot’ of Jupiter to the global map. To be a part of something bigger than ourselves correlates with the idea that all life is interconnected and each species, from the greatest to the smallest, has value.”

ENGINEERING FLORIDA | 33

RESTORING REEFS IN HOT WATERS

Speaking of small, the motile life The Reef Hope Project works with and catalogs is often less than a centimeter in length. Miles has created a traveling exhibit highlighting their research findings, which will be featured at nature centers, museums and libraries throughout the state.

“We found over 500 species living together in an area the size of a birthday cake,” she said. “And we aren’t talking about individuals here; we are talking about different species!”

As Enochs points out, natural reefs have the highest concentrations of biodiversity in our oceans. They could still prove to be a goldmine for genetics, medical compounds and more. And, as much as the Florida Reef Tract has declined in health in the last several years, Enochs points out that natural reefs are self-repairing – they can grow themselves back.

This fact is one of the many reasons why Enochs has a tremendous amount of hope in restoring the natural reefs. That, and that AOML has tools right now that work on growing coral.

“”

“We’ve identified two new types of coral that are stronger, and we can learn from them – we’ve grown coral in the lab much faster than the field,” Enochs said. “We can get them to reproduce in our lab, which means we can use genetics like in agriculture to identify traits to produce the most robust crops.

“In addition, we can stress harden these species like a coral gym. We stress them out and then cool them and allow them to relax, and that toughens them up.”

Enochs and his team are working on engineering and developing control and feedback systems, among several other projects. They are working on robotic systems that could be used to maintain and clean corals of algae, as the current cleaning process is labor intensive – they are currently cleaned with toothbrushes by hand.

“You think about planting millions of corals and you’re using toothbrushes, think of the army of people you’d need – armed with toothbrushes,” he said. “You think about how automation and robotics work in industries where you have these varying dynamics – corals are not that because they just sit.

“This is a challenge that is very feasible because we can manipulate it in a very controlled environment. It’s an interesting engineering problem and the solutions are accessible.”

34 | ENGINEERING FLORIDA

We found over 500 species living together in an area the size of a birthday cake...

And we aren’t talking about individuals here; we are talking about different species!

JESSICA MILES Chair of the Environmental Science

Department at Palm Beach State College and leader of The Reef Hope Project.

ARTIFICIAL REEFS Because of the rising ocean temperatures, Miles and other scientists anticipate some coral species will migrate farther north to where temperatures are more comfortable for them. Artificial reefs can serve as a sort of stepping stone and provide these coral with a substrate to settle upon.

She and her students created a large artificial reef sculpture and deployed it locally off the coast. The stainless steel, 10-ton, 11-foot-tall statue represents a DNA helix in the shape of the infinity symbol created over two years by more than 60 students and five faculty members in different disciplines at PBSC. In partnership with the Reef Hope Project, the Andrew "Red" Harris artificial reef 1.5 miles northeast of Jupiter Inlet is now home to 234 artificial reef modules and additional boulder piles that have been donated to Palm Beach County.

“We literally want to provide any support we can for the coral, to encourage their survival, because they are being hit from multiple directions,” she said. “I hope someday that our sculpture is covered by living, thriving coral and that their role as a keystone species, essentially a support for hundreds of other forms of marine life, is fulfilled.”

Off the Panhandle coast – too far north for natural corals – Okaloosa County officials have added 14 artificial reefs – ranging from old tugboats and dinner cruiseliners to military vessels – in the last five years. The sunken vessels help replenish fish populations and provide habitats for people to dive and fish.

RESTORING REEFS IN HOT WATERS

The S.S. United States is the county’s most ambitious project yet. The ship was taken out of service by the United States Line in 1969 and mothballed by the U.S. Navy for the next decade. Passing through a series of owners, the ship's fittings and furniture were auctioned off in 1984, and its interior was completely gutted to remove asbestos in the early 1990s. The ship was seized by U.S. Marshals after its owners were unable to pay debtors and towed to Philadelphia in 1996.

The ship wouldn’t move from Pier 82 in Philadelphia until its voyage to Mobile began in February. The S.S. United States Conservancy acquired the ship in 2011 and tried for years to find a buyer and partner who would renovate the ship as a floating hotel or convention center or even a cruise line who would restore it to its original grandeur. But the costs of such a project ultimately made it unfeasible.

“We had to do an analysis to find where the center of gravity is, because so much has been pulled off of the ship, it’s significantly lower than what was used in models,” Fogg said. “We had to demonstrate it could handle full weather conditions and not tip over, so we crawled through the whole vessel looking at structural integrity. It’s in remarkably good shape.”

In Mobile, the United States will be stripped of any Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and lead in the paint, and all insulation and wiring will be taken out – in fact, everything that isn’t metal will be removed. There is still fuel residue in many of the ship’s 120 fuel tanks that will need to be pumped out.

With the United States’ future seemingly destined for the scrapyard, Okaloosa County’s plan for sinking the vessel and creating the world’s largest artificial reef provided a way for the liner to live on.

“When court ruled the vessel had to be moved out of its Pier 82 home, that’s when we contacted the Conservancy to see if creating an artificial reef was even an option in their mind,” Fogg said. “As time went on and we explored options with a museum and how we are going to honor this vessel throughout the entire process, that started to change their attitudes.”

To get the vessel ready for its final voyage, Fogg and his team have several engineering considerations.

First and foremost, they needed to see if the ship could travel without sinking.

ENGINEERING FLORIDA | 35

RESTORING REEFS IN HOT WATERS

The entire project will cost $10 million, Fogg said, with a much larger return on investment expected as the ship becomes an international tourist and diver attraction.

By removing the ship’s stacks, the top deck of the ship will ultimately come to rest in about 55 to 60 feet of Gulf water – well within recreational dive limits. Being that close to the surface, Fogg anticipates the ship will begin providing habitat benefits quickly, with a full ecosystem developing from the top down in a few years.

While they don’t provide the same level of ecosystem services that a natural coral reef does, Enochs said, projects like the United States are still quite valuable from a recreation and destination perspective.

“”

The situation is bad – don’t get me wrong – but I know we can do something about it, and we know engineering is a critical component of that.

IAN ENOCHS

Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory Coral Program

36 | ENGINEERING FLORIDA

Meanwhile, AOML, the Reef Hope Project and several other groups and scientists across the state will continue finding ways to ensure Florida’s natural coral reefs survive.

“It’s not like we need to invent fusion or teleportation – this is not so far out there,” Enochs said. “We have these tools already. Honestly, we can do this.

“The situation is bad – don’t get me wrong – but I know we can do something about it, and we know engineering is a critical component of that.”

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ASSOCIATION SPOTLIGHT

FES

FLORIDA ENGINEERING SOCIETY

Engineers Prepared for Disaster David Cowan Jr., P.E., ENV SP MUNICIPAL SERVICES PROJECT MANAGER AT BAXTER & WOODMAN, INC.

Preparing for disaster and crisis requires a holistic approach that combines technology, strategic planning and collaboration across various sectors.

Engineers play a key role in this planning process.

They develop systems and solutions that ensure efficient responses to crises. From designing resilient infrastructure to creating life-saving technologies, engineers are integral to both disaster preparedness and recovery efforts.

As a population, we must remember the importance of this and provide the necessary funding, resources and policies to support engineers in safeguarding communities and vital services against the growing threat of disasters – natural and man-made – as well as other emergencies.

Always remember proverbs like: "If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail," and "A stitch in time saves nine."

PRE VS. POST-STORMS – TOWNS, VILLAGES, CITIES, COUNTIES Municipalities and counties have a lot of work in advance of a storm. This planning starts years in advance with engineers focusing on infrastructure that can withstand extreme conditions.

conditions. Space agencies need to anticipate potential failures, whether technical or environmental, and engineers must be ready to provide solutions and implement emergency protocols.

It is just not possible to run to the store for some ice when the refrigeration system goes down in space. It is not like we can crack the window and let in some of that cold space air.

Aerospace engineers must research, develop and test every possible scenario to keep astronauts safe in the face of unforeseen challenges in space. They must have redundancy in their system and plan for every calamity.

RESILIENT HEALTHCARE: ENSURING CONTINUITY AND SAFETY IN CRISIS SITUATIONS Healthcare systems are critical during disasters, requiring robust operations to protect patients and staff. Engineers work hard to ensure that backup power systems, such as generators, are in place to keep hospitals running when the main power grid fails, ensuring that life-saving equipment like ventilators remain operational.

Engineers are also essential after a storm in evaluating storm damage, helping with the recovery efforts and ensuring that our government-owned infrastructure is up and running as quickly as possible.

Additionally, hospital administrators and engineers help design resilient supply chains to quickly deliver essential medical supplies during crises, even when roads or airports are damaged. Protection from strong winds, water and fire is another priority.

Local governments must work closely with municipal staff at all levels and consulting engineers to ensure that after a storm Florida is open for business. Success in this starts with always making sure that the recovery process is integrated into the long-term planning and design.

New designs include developing storm-resistant buildings, flood barriers and fireproof materials to safeguard healthcare facilities. This type of forward thinking ensures that when people need healthcare, the hospital is there to provide it.

BEING PREPARED FOR DISASTER IN SPACE FLIGHT

WATER & POWER GRID RESILIENCE: ADDRESSING NATURAL DISASTERS, TERROR ATTACKS, AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Another agency that has planning for crises integrated into its soul is NASA. In space flight, disaster preparedness is a matter of life and death, with engineers designing spacecraft and systems that can withstand extreme 38 | ENGINEERING FLORIDA

The stability of the water, sewer and power grid is increasingly threatened by natural disasters, terror attacks and the unpredictable effects of climate change.

Engineers play a critical role in designing resilient systems in all forms of infrastructure.

We recently saw in Western North Carolina how the old paradigm of design just does not hold true anymore.

We need to design for future conditions and rehabilitate systems as frequently as we can afford as a society. I want to emphasize the storm we saw in WNC was something that we never anticipated, but we can in the future.

We can also build back with the future in mind. We can develop advanced filtration systems, backup water supplies and more flexible power grids that can quickly adapt to disruptions.

Renewable energy can provide a part of the solution to these challenges by offering sustainable alternatives, such as solar, wind and hydro technologies, that can support essential services during crises. These renewable sources reduce dependence on aging infrastructure, helping ensure the continuous availability of water and power when traditional systems fail.

We must prioritize investments in infrastructure, renewable energy-based power sources and modernized systems to create a more reliable and resilient approach to managing our infrastructure during emergencies.

WILDFIRES AND AIR MONITORING: RESPONDING TO NEW RISKS FROM OLD FOE Wildfires are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change and fire suppression policies. Urban sprawl makes wildfires more costly when fires occur around and in developed areas. Proactive maintenance of wild areas with prescribed burns can help.

When engineers design fire-resistant infrastructure, safe evacuation routes and early detection systems, they reduce loss of human life. Engineers also play a key role in wildfire response, designing advanced firefighting tools and equipment.

They also design air quality monitoring equipment which is crucial, particularly during wildfires, where hazardous pollutants can severely impact public health. Engineers develop, deploy and maintain air monitoring systems that provide real-time data, enabling swift actions to protect communities. We must constantly track air quality, ultimately safeguarding public health during fire crises and other environmental emergencies.

Disaster preparedness requires collaboration between engineers and policymakers to create resilient systems for water, power, healthcare and fire management. Engineers are key in developing technologies like renewable energy and advanced monitoring systems to ensure essential services during crises.

If you are interested in hearing more about how the Florida Engineering Society is working to promote these types of activities, please reach out to us or join our society at fleng.org.

ENGINEERING FLORIDA | 39

Security by Design

BY LAUREN HEIGHTON, STAFF WRITER

FLORIDA’S CYBERSECURITY INFRASTRUCTURE:

Growing Technology, Risks and Defense Twenty years ago, basic firewalls and antivirus software were sufficient to protect engineering firms and their clients from the cybersecurity threats at hand.

But with the advancement of technology and hacking tactics, high profile security breaches and ransomware, cybersecurity measures had to improve. As AI and other technologies continue to evolve, our infrastructure is both strengthened and challenged all at once, making the field of cybersecurity as important as ever.

UNDERSTANDING THE ISSUE To outsiders, the field of cybersecurity exists to stop hackers from accessing important files online. They know to examine phishing emails and keep up-to-date with the newest scams. However, cybersecurity in our communities is much more than that; it’s made up of teams who spend their days scouring for the newest tactics and implementing strategies to keep our infrastructure safe.

Oftentimes, issues in cybersecurity are made complex by the interconnected nature of our world and technologies.

In a given business environment, there are levels of technology utilized by staff, from company laptops to HVAC systems. Because we often automate processes and link access points, there are weaknesses we may not see that hackers can discover.

40 | ENGINEERING FLORIDA

Safeguards are put in place both locally and nationally for the wellbeing of infrastructure as issues in cybersecurity are ever-changing. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework provides guidance for industry, government and organizations to decrease risks.

The State of Florida mandates that local governments adopt this framework as well, ensuring that entities like the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) have a risk management framework in place and are not naive to threats as they come.

Even seemingly innocuous devices like household appliances and smart thermostats are equipped with networking capabilities that could open an unexpected vulnerability. Operational systems can consist of IoT devices and automated software that appear straightforward but require constant monitoring.

At best, cybersecurity analysts have the boring job of monitoring a company’s systems with nothing to note.

However, at worst, they miss something in the daily fight against threat actors who attempt to cause chaos, make money and do harm.

CYBERSECURITY ON THE MOVE In Steve Johnson’s line of work, attacks on traffic management systems and automated processes like reversible lane operating systems threaten civilian lives.

A Senior Control Systems Cybersecurity Specialist for HDR, Johnson’s career has spanned more than 40 years with 20 of that spent designing and deploying Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) networks and emerging technologies.

For part of Johnson’s career, he worked on one of three U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Connected Vehicles (CV) projects. The projects’ combination of rising technology and significant dependence on the internet for firmware and security updates brought on a new understanding for the urgency of cybersecurity in transportation infrastructure.

Previously, building secure networks for transportation was not highly threatened because each operated individually on private networks.

vulnerabilities early and apply holistic cybersecurity safeguards to the City of Tampa Traffic Management System at the system level and not just the field devices.”

In the 10 years since, Johnson has been an advocate for holistic cybersecurity in our transportation systems.

“Everything is impacted, and everything is interconnected these days,” he said.

PLAYING DEFENSE Safeguarding our infrastructure is made more complex by the fact that there is not a rule book for threats to cybersecurity; there are endless permutations that can lead to an attack. Ransomware is a common attack that can affect individuals or large corporations.

An attacker has thousands of entry points and only needs to get it right once, while a defender has thousands of defense points and can't get it wrong one time.

“Ransomware’s mechanism is to either shut your system down through encryption of your data or corruption of the operations so that they're creating unsafe acts.

But the hacker’s goal is to get a monetary payoff to restore normal operations,” Johnson said. “Those are a pain and the most frequent, but not necessarily the most dangerous.”

“That went out the window several years ago when we started getting our firmware updates over the Even more dangerous threats internet and we started present via state actors – or state adding all of these emerging sponsored terrorists – with a technologies like connected deeper goal than a bounty. They and automated vehicles,” seek entry into critical infrastructure Johnson said. “A vehicle is MICHAEL BROWN sectors, and they don’t always one of the most inherently Senior Security Analyst, Walter P. Moore make their presence known. These insecure entities out there threat actors sometimes hack and we're connecting it to into system code and lie dormant, waiting for the most our traffic management systems.” lucrative time to attack.

USDOT continues to support the implementation of this Michael Brown, a senior security analyst for Walter P. technology, installing roadside units co-located with Moore (WPM), knows what it’s like to be on the defense traffic signal controllers, to communicate with CVs with against these threats. WPM specializes in training small the ability to sense hazards and prevent accidents before engineering firms for when cyberattacks arise. In his 25 they happen. The benefits to the traveling public from years of experience, Brown has developed a passion for this technology include saving many lives by reducing the challenges of the field. distracted driving accidents, but it’s possible to imagine scenarios that end poorly if not secured.

“To be half decent in cybersecurity, you have to stay up to date. I spend a good two or three hours a week just Conducting penetration testing played an integral maintaining trends to find out what's going on,” Brown role in finding weak points in the CV pilot project. said. “Because I never know if a new attack is out there Ransomware attacks against business email systems and that's suddenly something that I hadn't thought of, or I IT departments can easily lead to attacks on operational technologies and limit the ability to manage traffic signals haven't seen before and I need to look into to make sure we're not vulnerable.” and roadways. But conversely, the operational field networks now represent an opportunity for attackers to He describes the struggle against threat actors as a game initiate attacks through the field networks and migrate to of cat and mouse. the IT business systems.

“In Tampa, we initially protected the connected vehicle aspect of the project, but it brought with it new threat surfaces that threatened the whole system to which it had connections,” said Johnson. “As this was a closely monitored research project, we were able to catch these

“As analysts, we are constantly playing catch up,” he said. “An attacker has thousands of entry points and only needs to get it right once, while a defender has thousands of defense points and can't get it wrong one time.”

ENGINEERING FLORIDA | 41

The dangerous reality of cyber threats is intimidating, but professionals like Brown and Johnson have years of experience in defense to advise on what to do next.

“There are probably an even greater number of inadvertent attacks that aren't really attacks – they're errors and mistakes,” Johnson said. “Insider threats represent an elevated impact risk because they are initiated by ‘authorized’ personnel and often go undetected for long periods due to that implied trust. But many of the insider threats aren't malicious; it's somebody misconfigured something, and it left an unintentional vulnerability.”

ENHANCING SECURITY IN FLORIDA The ever-changing scope of cybersecurity necessitates that companies constantly watch for threats. Large corporations bring on their own team of cybersecurity experts to maintain their operations, but smaller companies often lack the funding to do so.

WPM answers this problem, outsourcing services to small engineering firms. Assisting with software and network issues evolved into becoming these firms’ managed service provider, offering a cheaper solution for cybersecurity needs.

Past that, they offer training to engineering firms to ensure that staff know protocols and are aware of common tactics from threat actors. Being proactive is a crucial component. “[Cybersecurity] needs to not be an afterthought and needs to not be a burden,” Brown said. “For engineers, security, secure planning and design are essential. Best practices including risk assessment and vulnerability identification really should be integrated from the start of a project.”

Johnson echoed this sentiment, adding two important principles of approach to designing cybersecurity protections:

• •

Security by Design – Project Initiation is the time to have a cybersecurity professional at the table. Cyber should not be a bolt-on fix, after the fact.

Security in Depth – Cybersecurity is designed and implemented holistically with overlapping coverage.

Consider Medieval castles, which had motes (physical security layer 1), thick walls (physical security layer 2), guards (human cyber hygiene), a locked door to the treasure vault (access control via key distribution – “login”), and a watchman (monitoring and alarms).

Cybersecurity should be designed at each phase of a project in coordination with other disciplines.

Ensuring protection from the inception of a project is the heart of the matter, but it’s easier said than done.

Cybersecurity in engineering is a growing field, and Florida’s expanding infrastructure has driven a large need for the workforce.

According to the 2024 ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study, the U.S. had a workforce gap of 542,687 people, a 4% increase from the year before. On top of that, Aerospace, 42 | ENGINEERING FLORIDA

Telecommunications and Hosted/Cloud Services were among the highest affected industries of budget cuts.

“Those of us who make our living at this fully understand the workforce shortage,” said Johnson. “For every one of us that holds a CISSP credential, there are currently six positions open that require that credential for consideration. This education and workforce development problem is recognized at a national level and is the impetus behind the creation of the National Initiative on Cybersecurity Education (NICE), a program run by CISA with industry stakeholder membership.”

TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION The Center for Cybersecurity at the University of South Florida (Cyber Florida at USF) is one of the efforts made in the state to bridge the gap between the workforce and the cybersecurity industry. Cyber Florida at USF offers cybersafety awareness training to local governments and small businesses.

“Cybersecurity starts with the human element,” Jennifer Kleman, cyber outreach manager at Cyber Florida at USF. “A lot of the hacking and terrible things that bad actors are doing to get into companies and healthcare systems comes down to human behaviors.”

This sentiment is echoed no matter the industry and is a reminder of the fragility companies take on when they do not properly train their employees on security procedures.

To address this, the Florida State Legislature created Cyber Florida at USF in 2014 to meet needs of local governments, small businesses and other essential contributors to the state.

Of the programming offered by Cyber Florida at USF, the Critical Infrastructure Protection program is one of the most impactful ways it contributes to cybersecurity education. The free resource is available to private businesses classified as critical infrastructure.

“Through this program, businesses can complete a risk assessment to identify areas needing improvement,” said Kleman. “They’ll receive clear guidance on turning ‘no’ responses into ‘yes’ responses, along with access to free resources that can support these improvements.”

Cyber Florida at USF also provides funding for innovation in the state with its incubator program, phaseZero, supporting commercializing cybersecurity innovations.

“Some people just need that initial assistance just to get up and running before they can even apply for these much larger grants out there,” said Kleman. “It really is a great seed program to get some of these innovative ideas, get them out there, get them up to market, test them out. And we feel great about helping these entrepreneurial spirits.”

Investments like the CIP program and phaseZero demonstrate the initiative taken to enhance the cybersecurity workforce in Florida, a key component for the future. The past has been characterized by games of cat and mouse, but the future of cybersecurity benefits from planning from the start.

ASSOCIATION SPOTLIGHT

FSEA

FLORIDA STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS ASSOCIATION

The Essential Role of Structural Engineers in Mitigating Hurricane and Tornado Damage Carmelo Giglio, PE, SI, FRSE, CGC, CSI-CDT PRESIDENT OF UNITED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING

Natural disasters such as hurricanes and tornadoes pose significant threats to communities, infrastructure and human lives. The destructive forces of high winds, torrential rains and flying debris can lead to catastrophic damage, particularly in regions prone to these extreme weather events.

Structural engineers play an essential role in designing, constructing and maintaining buildings and infrastructure to withstand such disasters, thereby reducing casualties, economic losses and long-term societal impacts.

By applying advanced engineering principles, innovative materials and modern design techniques, structural engineers help create resilient structures that can endure the forces of nature.

UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF HURRICANES AND TORNADOES Hurricanes and tornadoes generate powerful forces that can severely compromise buildings and infrastructure.

Hurricanes produce sustained high-speed winds, heavy rainfall and storm surges that can lead to flooding and structural collapse. Tornadoes, while typically more localized, bring extreme wind speeds and violent air pressure differentials that can cause entire structures to be torn apart within seconds.

The key challenge for structural engineers is to anticipate these forces and design buildings that can resist them effectively.

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Wind loads, uplift forces and impact loads from debris are among the primary concerns in structural engineering for hurricane- and tornado-prone areas. Engineers must consider factors such as aerodynamic design, foundation anchorage and material strength when designing structures to mitigate damage. Furthermore, they must account for secondary hazards, such as flooding and erosion, which often accompany these disasters.

ENGINEERING STRATEGIES FOR HURRICANE AND TORNADO RESISTANCE To enhance structural resilience, engineers employ various strategies and design principles: Wind-Resistant Structural Design: Buildings in hurricane-prone regions must be designed to withstand high wind speeds. This includes reinforced concrete or steel frames, aerodynamic roof shapes, and securely anchored foundations. Roof-to-wall and wall-tofoundation connections must be strengthened to prevent uplift and progressive collapse.

Tornado-Resilient Construction: Since tornadoes can generate wind speeds exceeding 200 miles per hour, engineers often recommend reinforced concrete or steel-framed structures for critical facilities like hospitals and emergency shelters. Safe rooms or storm shelters with impact-resistant walls and ceilings provide refuge during extreme events.

Advanced Materials and Construction Techniques: The use of high-performance materials, such as fiber-reinforced concrete, impact-resistant glass and composite materials, enhances a structure’s ability to resist hurricane and tornado forces. Additionally, modern construction methods like modular design and prefabricated components ensure consistency in building resilience.

Engineers also collaborate with emergency management teams to restore critical infrastructure, such as bridges, power plants and water treatment facilities, ensuring rapid recovery and continuity of essential services.

Load Distribution and Redundancy: A well-designed structure distributes wind and impact loads effectively, reducing the risk of localized failures that can lead to total collapse.

Redundancy in structural components ensures that if one element fails, others can support the load, maintaining overall stability.

The field of structural engineering continues to evolve with advancements in technology and materials science. Some promising innovations include:

“”

INNOVATIONS AND FUTURE TRENDS IN STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING FOR DISASTER RESILIENCE

By applying advanced engineering principles, innovative materials and modern design techniques, structural engineers help create resilient structures that can endure the forces of nature.

Flood Mitigation and Drainage Planning: Hurricanes often bring heavy rainfall and storm surges, leading to flooding. Engineers incorporate elevated foundations, water-resistant materials and efficient drainage systems to minimize flood-related damage and prevent water intrusion into buildings.

THE ROLE OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS IN DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND RECOVERY Beyond designing and constructing resilient buildings, structural engineers contribute significantly to disaster preparedness and recovery efforts. Before disasters occur, they conduct vulnerability assessments, ensuring that structures meet or exceed safety standards. They also play a role in updating building codes based on new research and technological advancements, making structures increasingly resistant to extreme weather.

In the aftermath of hurricanes and tornadoes, structural engineers assess damage, determine the safety of buildings, and recommend repair or reconstruction strategies. Their expertise helps communities rebuild stronger and more resiliently, incorporating lessons learned from previous disasters.

Smart Building Technology: Sensors embedded in structures can monitor stress levels and detect structural weaknesses in real time, allowing for early interventions before failures occur.

Wind-Responsive Architectural Design: Buildings designed with adaptive facades and flexible materials can reduce wind resistance and minimize structural strain during extreme weather events.

Resilient Urban Planning: Engineers work alongside urban planners to develop disasterresistant cities, incorporating buffer zones, elevated structures and underground utilities to minimize damage.

Stronger Building Codes and Regulations: As climate change increases the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, structural engineers advocate for stricter building codes that prioritize resilience over cost efficiency.

CONCLUSION Structural engineers are indispensable in protecting communities from the devastating effects of hurricanes and tornadoes. Through innovative design, advanced materials and strategic planning, they help ensure that buildings and infrastructure can withstand the powerful forces of nature.

As climate patterns shift and extreme weather events become more frequent, the role of structural engineers in disaster mitigation and recovery will continue to grow in importance. By integrating cutting-edge technologies and resilient construction practices, they provide a safer, more sustainable future for communities worldwide.

ENGINEERING FLORIDA | 45

EDUCATION UPDATE:

Florida Construction Career Days

BY LAUREN HEIGHTON, STAFF WRITER

Scenes from Central Florida Construction Career Day. Photos provided by Florida Construction Career Days.

E

ach year, thousands of students across Florida are introduced to the construction industry. They have the opportunity to get their hands dirty and see what career opportunities the field holds during Construction Career Days (CCD).

Coordinated and presented by transportation industry partners from the public and private sectors, CCD gives students who may not have known about available jobs in construction the access to hands-on learning with machinery in a field trip format. For CCD, Florida is broken into five regions, each with their own events for Northwest, Northeast, Central, Tampa Bay and South Florida.

In January, 3,000 students from nine counties in Central Florida flocked to Construction Career Days (CCD) to discover what could be their career for years to come.

High school juniors and seniors across Central Florida are invited to attend the events at the Volusia County Fairgrounds, including Learning Labs where they gain an

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understanding of an array of concepts like bridge design, construction equipment, drone use in surveying and how asphalt works.

The demand for qualified construction workers in the state has made CCD more necessary than ever. According to the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Florida, the state is suffering from the largest skilled labor shortage in recent history. Qualified workers are needed to accomplish the expanding demands of the industry.

Transportation to and from the event and meals are provided to attendees, removing barriers to entry and giving employers the chance to interact with inquisitive high school and technical students.

All of this coordination is thanks to the help of over 30 committee members from Central

Florida CCD, over 250 day-off volunteers, and with the help of sponsors including the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). Carlos Dawson and Lauren Pearson lead the CCD planning committee, bringing their experience from two perspectives to coordinate the effort.

Dawson serves at the chair of the nonprofit, utilizing his experience as a CEI Operations Engineer at Elipsis Engineering and Consulting.

Meanwhile, his co-chair Pearson works for FDOT’s District Traffic Operations as manager of the Regional Transportation Management Center.

Together, they orchestrate the various committees to ensure CCD runs like a well-oiled machine.

“Our major role is ensuring that all of the different subcommittees within the event are meeting certain deadlines, timelines, and that everything that we need to accomplish, the full checklist is completed to put all those puzzle pieces together,” said Pearson.

Many of the events for CCD utilize local fairgrounds to host each year, much like Central Florida’s CCD home venue in Deland.

“They've been the most ideal space that can accommodate large pieces of equipment as well as indoor space for learning labs and for exhibit areas and things like that,” Dawson said. “So it's been really ideal to partner with different fairgrounds.”

Over the course of the day, students and their chaperones travel between Learning Labs covering distinct skills in the industry. A favorite is the equipment lab. “[The students] go out into the field; they could use an excavator, they could use a loader or a skid steer, and get that hands-on training to really show them, ‘Hey, there are other opportunities. If you don't want to go to college, or even if you do want to go to college and come back to the construction industry, these are the opportunities that are available to you,’” said Dawson.

Students are also offered an opportunity to visit the exhibit center, where vendors set up booths to showcase their work; some even offer information about hiring.

ENGINEERING FLORIDA | 47

“The reality is that the need in not just the construction industry, but in all of the related transportation fields, the demand for employees and future workers, especially with the growth and the number of projects that we're seeing come to life here in Florida specifically, especially as the governor is pushing the Moving Florida Forward initiatives along and we're advancing projects by decades, we know that the demand is so high to meet the needs of these projects,” Pearson said.

experienced CCD in Northeast Florida as an educator. She has brought students from her county to experience the event for many years.

With a packed day of events, Central Florida CCD is a mainstay in the community, making an impact for years to come.

With about 120 career and technical education teachers across the county in middle and high schools, the county serves about 11,000 students. In this pivotal time in their lives, they benefit from having access to learn about a variety of career opportunities.

“We have had several students whose schools will come back to the event year after year,” said Pearson. “A lot of times it's the same teachers bringing new classes of students to the event. They'll walk in and they'll see one of their prior students working a Learning Lab at the event because it means something to them to come back and give back to an event that they benefited from.”

To the north, Northeast Florida CCD serves FDOT District 2, inviting students from 18 counties to the events. Kelly Mosley, one of two career and technical education supervisors in the Clay County School District, has

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“In our program, we do a really good job of trying to provide lab settings and shop settings that provide handson experiences for our students,” Mosley said. “But we can only do so much in the confines of brick-and-mortar schools.”

“That's where events like construction career day take it to a whole new level and expose students to career opportunities, equipment, job skills, and different postsecondary options that we might not be able to expose them to at the school level,” said Mosley. “There's a lot of students that don't know what they don't know until they go to construction career day.

“We can tell them about these things, but construction career day shows them about these things.”

Advertise in Engineering Florida Promoting your business in this publication puts your brand in front of the people shaping the future of Florida’s infrastructure.

Engineers, firm leaders, and industry professionals turn to us for insight— and they’ll see your brand, too.

Connect with decision-makers across the state.

High-impact visibility.

Statewide reach.

Industry credibility.

For questions or more information, please contact Engineering Florida Ad Director Meghan Shiner at mshiner@fleng.org.

ASSOCIATION SPOTLIGHT

SMPS

SOCIETY FOR MARKETING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FLORIDA CHAPTERS

Where Strategy Meets Creativity: A Spotlight on SMPS and What’s Ahead Michelle Casale MARKETING MANAGER, BURGESS & NIPLE, SMPS TAMPA BAY

When disaster strikes, engineers, architects and contractors work quickly to rebuild communities, restore infrastructure and implement resilient solutions. But how do municipalities, developers and funding agencies recognize the value of proactive disaster mitigation before the next hurricane season?

Strategic marketing and communications play a critical role in bridging this gap. A/E/C marketers translate technical expertise into compelling narratives that drive awareness, funding and action. Whether preparing for hurricanes, managing flood risks or responding to rising temperatures, marketers help firms position themselves as leaders in resilience and disaster preparedness.

MARKETING RESILIENCE: EDUCATING STAKEHOLDERS BEFORE THE STORM The increasing frequency and intensity of hurricanes, flooding and extreme weather events require communities to take a proactive approach to resilience. While engineers and planners are designing stormwater management systems, flood-resistant roadways and hardened infrastructure, many of these efforts remain underfunded or overlooked until after a disaster strikes.

Marketing professionals play a key role in ensuring that decision-makers, clients and the public understand the long-term value of resilience projects before a disaster occurs.

A/E/C marketers can: • Showcase expertise in disaster preparedness through thought leadership content, articles and case studies.

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• Simplify complex engineering solutions into engaging, easy-to-understand narratives for key stakeholders.

• Engage municipal leaders and developers through targeted campaigns that highlight infrastructure needs.

• Leverage public relations (PR) strategies to increase visibility of successful resilience-focused projects in local and national media, highlighting the benefits to impacted communities.

DISASTER RESPONSE: MARKETING’S ROLE IN CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS When disasters strike, rapid response is essential not only for infrastructure recovery, but also for effective communication and public engagement.

Firms involved in emergency response and recovery must keep municipalities, transportation agencies and the public informed. Marketers and business development professionals support these efforts by: •

Providing real-time project updates that highlight how their firm is restoring critical infrastructure.

•

Showcasing case studies and best practices to position the firm as a trusted leader in post disaster recovery.

•

Conducting media outreach to ensure their firm's expertise is recognized in both industry and mainstream news.

Engineers around the state have played a vital role in assessing damage and leading recovery efforts after recent

hurricanes. Following storms like Hurricanes Ian and Idalia, engineering firms deployed teams to evaluate structural integrity, repair transportation infrastructure and restore critical utilities. Their expertise enabled communities to recover more quickly and build back stronger.

While engineers worked on the ground to address immediate safety concerns, A/E/C marketers ensured their impact was recognized. Through project updates, media outreach and community engagement, marketers communicated the value of these recovery efforts, reinforcing the importance of investing in resilient infrastructure and strengthening public trust in engineering solutions.

FLOOD MANAGEMENT AND LONGTERM CLIMATE RESILIENCE Infrastructure designed for resilience must also adapt to long-term environmental changes, such as rising temperatures and increasing flood risks. Flood control projects, green infrastructure solutions and coastal resilience initiatives are all critical components of climate adaptation.

THE ROLE OF PR IN AMPLIFYING RESILIENCE EFFORTS A/E/C firms often focus on technical excellence, but effective communication is just as critical. PR strategies can amplify resilience efforts by ensuring that the right audience hears the right message at the right time.

At SMPS Tampa Bay’s recent education event, "The ABCs of Public Relations: Where to Start and How to Deliver," Kaitlyn Perez of KPC Strategies shared insights on how PR can help A/E/C firms build stronger relationships with the media, engage the public, and elevate their visibility in the industry. The same principles apply when sharing disaster preparedness and response initiatives.

By incorporating PR tactics such as media outreach, storytelling and proactive messaging, firms can increase the visibility of their resilience efforts, secure funding, and strengthen partnerships with local governments and emergency response agencies.

THE FUTURE OF A/E/C MARKETING IN DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

For these projects to receive the necessary funding and support, marketers must communicate their long-term benefits to clients, government agencies, and funding organizations.

As climate challenges intensify, A/E/C marketers must go beyond traditional business development and become advocates for resilience-focused infrastructure on behalf of our clients.

Marketing strategies for flood and climate resilience include:

By shaping the conversation around disaster preparedness, marketers help communities and government agencies make informed decisions about infrastructure investments.

Through storytelling, strategic communications and PR, A/E/C firms are not just designing more resilient communities; they are ensuring that these communities understand and value the work behind it.

•

Developing compelling proposals and grant applications that align with federal and state funding priorities.

•

Creating interactive visuals and GIS maps that illustrate how infrastructure improvements mitigate flooding risks.

•

Positioning firm leaders as subject matter experts through conference presentations, opinion editorials and media appearances (ie. content marketing)

ENGINEERING FLORIDA | 51

Out & About First Order of Engineer Ceremony Held in Puerto Rico The Florida Engineering Society (FES) and the Colegio de Ingenieros y Agrimensores de Puerto Rico (CIAPR) proudly celebrated a historic milestone with the first-ever Order of the Engineer induction ceremony on February 27, 2025, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This significant event marked a major achievement in strengthening the bonds between engineering professionals in Florida and Puerto Rico.

The ceremony fulfilled one of the key objectives outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by FES and CIAPR, reinforcing their shared commitment to upholding the highest standards of ethics, professionalism, and excellence in engineering. This momentous occasion honored the inductees’ dedication to the profession and set the foundation for future collaborations that will continue to advance the engineering community across both regions.

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From left to Right: Event Moderators: Hans X. Figueroa Sweet, PE; Miriam Pabón González, PhD, PE. Presiding Team: Omar R. Rodriguez, PE – CIAPR Past President Exterior Chapter; Carlos Fournier Morales, PLS – CIAPR President; Charles W. Davis Jr, PhD, CSSGB – FES President; Florabel Toro Rodríguez, ESQ, PE - CIAPR Director Office of Professional Practice & Ethics; Eric M. Jimenez, PE, PMP, CCM – Co-Chair FES International Committee

ENGINEERING FLORIDA | 53

Advertise With Us Are you looking to get your company in front of industry professionals, firm leaders, government officials, business leaders and potential clients from every part of Florida? If you are doing business anywhere in the engineering or consulting space in the Sunshine State, this is exactly the valuable audience you want to reach.

US POSTAL SERVICE STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION Title of Publication................................................................................................... Engineering Florida Publication No.................................................................................................................................277-720 Date of Filing ....................................................................................................................................... 2024 Frequency of Issue......................................................................................................................Quarterly No. of Issues Published Annually............................................................................................................4 Publisher ..............................................................................................................................Allen Douglas Editor.......................................................................................................................................Stacey Butler Owner ..........................................................................................................Florida Engineering Society Engineering Florida, ISSN 0015-4032, is published quarterly as the official publication of the Florida Engineering Society. Copyright 2023. All rights reserved. FES members receive Engineering Florida as part of their membership benefits. Editorial matter, change of address, and correspondence regarding advertising should be mailed to: FES, P.O. Box 750, Tallahassee, FL 32302 or email fes@fleng.org.

Mailing Address of Office of Publication, General Business Office, Publisher: Allen Douglas, Owner: Florida Engineering Society, P.O. Box 750, Tallahassee, FL 32302-0750 The purpose, function, and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt status for federal income tax purposes has not changed during preceding 12 months.

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Editorial Calendar ISSUE 3.2 (SUMMER ‘25)

ISSUE 3.4 (WINTER ‘25)

Engineering Marvels

Projects & People of the Year

• Focus on designated engineering marvels • Engineering Simulation Labs • The Many Engineering Feats of the Keys • Frank Lloyd Wright • Education Spotlight: Senior Design Days • Deadlines: — Content Due: May 16 — Ads & Art Deadline: May 23 — Print Deadline: June 6

ISSUE 3.3 (FALL ‘25)

Safety • FDOT Target Zero • Changes in Structural Engineering ○ AI/VR use to monitor infrastructure ○ Highlight Florida Pedestrian/Bicycling Safety Resource ○ Market Spotlight: Pensacola and its SR 426 Coalition ○ Deadlines: — Content Due: Aug. 22 — Ads & Art Deadline: Aug. 29 — Print Deadline: Sept. 12

• Award Winning Projects ○ Engineer Profiles ○ Deadlines: — Content Due: Nov. 14 — Ads & Art Deadline: Nov. 21 — Print Deadline: Dec. 5

For questions or more information, please contact Engineering Florida Managing Editor: Joe VanHoose at joe@trestlecollective. com.

To access the media kit, scan the qr code or visit fleng.org/ publications-resources/ engineeringflorida

ENGINEERING FLORIDA | 55

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