PCPD's New Disaster Gear - WKGC Public Radio

Panama City Police Department Acquires Equipment to Assist With Disaster Relief

PANAMA CITY, FL – Atlantic hurricane season has begun, and the Panama City Police Department (PCPD) is prepared should a disaster occur locally. PCPD has acquired equipment for local use and for deployment throughout the state of Florida. All purchases have been made with forfeiture and deployment reimbursement funds, not affecting the City budget.

Before hurricane Michael, the PCPD had nearly no equipment. Now, almost 6 years after the storm, we have 2 trailers, a sleep trailer, a kitchen trailer and a bath trailer among other assets like boats, ATVs, UTVs, generators and debris cleaning equipment.

The bath trailer has restrooms, showers and laundry capabilities. The kitchen trailer provides a sanitary space for food storage and also features a gas range, gas griddle, prep table, refrigerator and freezer. The new sleep trailer can house 16 individuals in private bunks with air conditioning.

The PCPD is also compiling teams for deployment during the 2024 hurricane season. The PCPD has deployed teams of officers to other Florida cities three times – two for hurricane Ian (Venice and Sanibel Island) and one for hurricane Idalia (Perry). Deployment offers critical manpower in addition to allowing other local law enforcement to rest and check on their homes and family. We, as a city, are so grateful to other agencies for helping us out during Hurricane Michael, and we are happy to now be able to pay it forward and better assist others in their time of need.