the inside job - november 2011

8/3/2019 The Inside Job - November 2011

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November 2011

The Employee e-Newsle t t er o f t he F lor ida F ish and Wi ld l i feConservat ion Commission

Serves Them Right Shining Stars Employee Mi les tones

Get more FWC news: Marine Fisheries Hot Sheets | FWC Weekly Reports to Gov. Scott

In t h is issue...

Weekly reports: another source of agency new sUpdates prepared for governor are available for employee reading as well... [more]

Restoring the Peace River Basin Multi-phase project aims to enhance 2,350-square-mile basin... [more]

Report violators...with your thumbs Wildlife Alert adds text-messaging option... [more]

Why we tweet Twitter's value as a communication and customer-service tool increases daily... [more]

Weekly reports: another source of agency new s

Here's a new way to stay abreast of what the FWC is doing.

Each week, the agency submits a brief report to Gov. Scott with information about agency successes, emerging

issues and updates on ongoing issues. The reports are compiled by the Office of the Executive Director and

based on information submitted by the divisions and offices.
http://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/hot-topics/http://portal.fwc.state.fl.us/DOI/Offices/Community%20Relations/Weekly%20Reports%20to%20Gov%20Scott/Forms/AllItems.aspxhttp://portal.fwc.state.fl.us/DOI/Offices/Community%20Relations/Weekly%20Reports%20to%20Gov%20Scott/Forms/AllItems.aspxhttp://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/hot-topics/http://www.myfwc.com/


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These reports are posted on SharePointand available for reading by all employees.

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Restoring the Peace River Basin

Over the years, extensive phosphate mining, agricultural operations and urban development took a toll on the

2,350-square-mile Peace River Basin, greatly reducing wetland and stream acreages and surface-water

discharge, and diminishing the water quality.

In 1995, a memorandum of understanding between the FW C, Florida DEP, SW Florida Water Management

District, Florida DOT and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers established the "Restoration and Mitigation of the UpperPeace River Watershed at Tenoroc Fish Management Area" project to create wetlands, enhance wildlife habitat

and improve water quantity and quality within the Peace River Basin.

Wetland restoration at Tenoroc Fish Mgt. Area - from overgrown

phosphate mine to functioning wetland.

(FWC photo by Gary Morse)

Black-bellied whistling ducks take up residence in restored

wetland at Tenoroc Fish Mgt. Area.

(FWC photo by Gary Morse)

It's a multi-phased project for the Division of Habitat & Species Conservation. The most recently

completed step saw creation of a 161-acre waterfowl area and a 1.5-mile stream, installation of two main

water-control structures, reclamation of a 131-acre mined area, enhancement of an 89-acre wetland system,

and removal and restoration of a drainage ditch running through an existing bayhead. Total revegetation

includes 5,191 native trees, 92,782 native shrubs and grass plants and 167,705 native herbaceous aquaticplants.

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Report violators w ith your thumbs

Since 1979, the Wildlife Alert Reward P rogram has helped the FWC catch thousands of violators through

phone calls and online submissions from the public. Now, it has another tool: text messaging.

Citizens can now text [email protected] to report a violation.

Once a report is initiated, FWC dispatchers can reply by text

message and gather additional details. This new option is

convenient for citizens and highlights the valuable role they

play in supporting law enforcement. And (we hope) it will make

Wildlife Alert even more effective in catching poachers and

other violators.

Carl Voss (LE, Field Services Section) put in great effort to

design an in-house solution to receive and manage the texted

tips and route them to the appropriate regional

communications center.Text [email protected] to report a violation.

(FWC photo)

The result is a cost savings - eliminating the need for additional software or an outside vendor. The

Investigations Section staff has assisted in coordinating with members of the Wildlife Alert Reward Association
http://portal.fwc.state.fl.us/DOI/Offices/Community%20Relations/Weekly%20Reports%20to%20Gov%20Scott/Forms/Weekly%20Reports%20to%20Gov%20Scott.aspxhttp://portal.fwc.state.fl.us/DOI/Offices/Community%20Relations/Weekly%20Reports%20to%20Gov%20Scott/Forms/Weekly%20Reports%20to%20Gov%20Scott.aspxmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://portal.fwc.state.fl.us/DOI/Offices/Community%20Relations/Weekly%20Reports%20to%20Gov%20Scott/Forms/Weekly%20Reports%20to%20Gov%20Scott.aspx


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to provide this additional reporting method.

Officers in the field consistently promote the program in their daily interactions with the public. Now they will

promote the use of this new method as well.

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Why we tweetBy Alicia Wellman, Community Relations

Did you know that the FWC has two Twitter accounts? Do you know what the heck Twitter is, anyway?

Twitter is a social media application that provides a direct, two-way line of communication with our customers.

Each message ("tweet") is limited to 140 characters - enough to share information, feedback and general

conversation, including links, photos and videos.

Before turning tail on Twitter, you should know - it is the fastest-growing social media platform, with more than

175 million users, who send out 200 million tweets every day. The FWC is responsible for 15-25 of those

tweets.

The Twitter page for @MyFWC.

(FWC photo)

Each account targets a distinctly different audience. Our first

and most established account is @MyFWC, with about 2,400

followers, focusing on business-brief style posts and agency

news. The main target audience is 25- to 44-year-olds.

The newer @MyFWClife is centered on conversation, eventsand "water cooler chatter." We conduct live Twitter events,

taking followers "with" us to events like the Forgotten Coast

Black Bear Festival and a training session with K-9s on

helicopters with our Special Operations Group. This account has

grown quickly, attracting more than 1,000 followers in less

than six months. The target audience is females 18 and older,

as well as parents with children under 16.

How do you follow us on Tw itter?

Start by creating your own account at Twitter.com - it only takes about 2 minutes. Think of Twitter as your own

personal newspaper, with the news you choose coming to you as it happens. Program everything you areinterested in - from MyFWC to recipes to television and newspaper information. It will be delivered automatically

to your account in real timefor free.

What social media means to the FWC (and the whole w orld, for that matter)

So is this really a big deal, or is social media just a fad? Take 5 minutes to watch "Social Media Revolution

Socialnomics 2011." It's a real eye-opener.

This new type of communication is an integral part of our customer service strategy: a portal for direct

interaction with people both inside and outside the agency.

Social media consumes information as quickly as we can generate it. So if you think something in your division

is worthy of a tweet, or even related to our message as an agency as a whole, please let us know. You can try

your hand at writing a tweet or we will be glad to do it for you. Email [email protected]@MyFWC.com.

There are many more facets of Twitter. Retweets (RTs), hatch or hash tags (#), bit.ly links, #FF, why 115 is the

new 140, tweetups, and of course the "do not DM" rule for more advanced Twitter users. If you want a more

advanced tutorial, please feel free to call (850-488-9434) or email Alicia anytime.

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Serves Them Right

Citizens and FWC customers were so impressed by the following employees, they told us about it through the

"Praise an Employee" page of MyFWC.com/Contact:
https://twitter.com/#!/MyFWChttps://twitter.com/#!/MyFWClifehttp://www.twitter.com/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzZyUaQvpdchttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzZyUaQvpdchttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzZyUaQvpdcmailto:[email protected]?subject=I%20read%20about%20Twitter%20in%20the%20Inside%20Jobmailto:[email protected]?subject=I%20read%20about%20Twitter%20in%20the%20Inside%20Jobmailto:[email protected]?subject=I%20read%20about%20Twitter%20in%20the%20Inside%20Jobmailto:[email protected]?subject=I%20read%20about%20Twitter%20in%20the%20Inside%20Jobmailto:[email protected]?subject=Advanced%20Twitter%20tutorialhttp://www.myfwc.com/contact/staff-contacts/praise-an-employee/http://www.myfwc.com/contact/staff-contacts/praise-an-employee/mailto:[email protected]?subject=Advanced%20Twitter%20tutorialmailto:[email protected]?subject=I%20read%20about%20Twitter%20in%20the%20Inside%20Jobmailto:[email protected]?subject=I%20read%20about%20Twitter%20in%20the%20Inside%20Jobhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzZyUaQvpdchttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzZyUaQvpdchttp://www.twitter.com/https://twitter.com/#!/MyFWClifehttps://twitter.com/#!/MyFWC


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Officer Lane Bentley - "...I was injured and could not continue kayaking...and FSU intern Joe

Stewart...gave me a ride and towed my kayak...carried the heavily loaded boat up the ramp and waited with

me until my friends arrived..."

John Cimbaro (FFM ) - "...helped me on so many levels I don't know really where to start. Almost anything I

ask he can answer or gets an answer for, and I ask a lot of questions...very inspiring and I consider him a

mentor."

Investigator Scott Dack - "...someone had dumped a lot of construction debris on my property...Dack found

had out who dumped the debris and it was to be removed by the person that dumped it. Top notch investigative

work!"

Philip Defelice (HGM) - "...was very personable and knowledgeable and made our trip to the range enjoyable

and safe. I appreciate the work that your dept is doing to the range and I will return very soon."

Trina Heil (SW Regional Operations) - "...concerning the transfer of responsibility of the Sarasota Co.

Knights Trail Firing range...She was very helpful and informative. She is a credit to your Lakeland operation."

Lt. Alberto Maza - "Extremely professional and friendly. Inspected our boat and catch...was by FAR the best

inspection I have ever had. He is a credit to the organization."

Officer Tim Miller - "Very professional during the end of the Ft. Drum quota hunt. Non-uniformed Fred and

Randy (2nd day) staff to be commended for their demeanor and helpfulness."

Officer Tim Miller (again), K-9 P atton - "My 14-year-old twin daughters are Brevard Co. Sheriff Explorersand interested in careers in FWC. Off. Miller and the gentleman with him were wonderful in giving them the

encouragement to pursue this career...girls took a picture with Off. Miller and Patton...would have thought they

had met Superman. They have framed that picture and put it in their bedroom as a reminder..."

Dot Rains (LE) - "...was very helpful and kind! I recently bought a red fox from a breeder in Indiana, and she

helped me with all the right forms and information I needed to get my girl down to Florida..."

Unidentified (Range master at Pace Public Shooting Range) - "...The person on duty was very helpful &

informative. The range is very well maintained, and I had a wonderful time shooting. Kudos goes to those who

maintain this range. I will be going more often and telling others."

Top of page

Shining Stars

L-R: Maj. Dave Pridgen, Officer David Erdman,

Capt. Ken Parramore.

(FWC photo by Stan Kirkland)

Officer David Erdman Jr. of Panama City was recently

presented a Lifesaving Award for rescuing a 55-year-old

Panama City Beach man after fire broke out on the man's

vessel in June.

Erdman was on vessel patrol in Grand Lagoon when he got the

call from FWC dispatch. He looked behind him and could see

the fire just mile away. He raced to the scene and plucked

the victim from the water right next to the burning vessel. The

quick-thinking Erdman next put one of his two motors in

reverse and the other in forward and trimmed them toward the

surface of the water. That churned up enough water onto the

burning motor to put out the fire.

Harry Dutton (HGM ) has been named 2011 Wildlife Biologist

of the Year by the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife

Agencies (SEAFWA). Harry has been with the FWC for over 21

years, the last 13 as Alligator Management Program

Coordinator.

He received the honor in late October at SEAFWA's annual


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conference, in Nashville.

SEAFWA is an organization whose members are state agencies

with primary responsibility for conservation of fish and wildlife

resources in 15 states, Puerto Rico and the United States

Virgin Islands. Harry Dutton (L) receives his award from Bob Duncan,SEAFWA president.

(Photo courtesy of SEAFWA)

Gov. Rick Scott has spotlighted two more FWC employees in his weekly email messages to state employees.

Here is what he had to say about Tim Woody, Grants Specialist in the Boating & W aterways Section (LE)

and Officer Randy Irw in.

"Tim was awarded the U.S. Dept. of Commerce's Coastal America Partnership Award for his role in the removal

of six derelict vessels in the waters of Miami-Dade County. The award recognizes outstanding partnerships that

make a significant contribution toward the restoration and protection of America's coastal environment.

Congratulations Tim."

"While on water patrol near Fort Pierce Inlet, Officer Irwin was alerted to a victim struggling approximately

100 yards from the jetty rocks. The victim was in the anchored boat when a small box, containing his wallet

and other personal items, fell into the water. The victim, without a life jacket, jumped overboard to retrieve the

box, however, he was carried far way by swift currents. He began swimming toward the jetties while clinging to

the box, but was soon overcome by fatigue and struggling to stay afloat. Officer Irwin was able to assist the

man and prevent his drowning. Officer Irwin's heroic response to save the victim was critical in this situation

where every minute counted."

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Milestones

Editor's note: The FWC has a great many non-FTE employees, and they deserve recognition for reaching 5-

year milestones too. Unfortunately, the system doesn't keep track of such statistics; but we don't want that to

stop us. If you know of a non-FTE employee about to reach a 5-year milestone, please have his/her section

leader notify the Inside Job by email.

Congratulations to the following employees, who reach 5-year milestones of employment with the FWC in

November. Numbers in parentheses indicate total state service, if different.

35 YearsDenis Grealish - Law Enforcement

30 YearsLane Kinney - Law Enforcement

Dennis Renfro - Freshwater Fisheries Mgt.

25 YearsWilliam Caton - Habitat & Species Conservation

Francis Courtney - Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

Hector Cruz-Lopez - Law Enforcement

Larry Davis - Habitat & Species Conservation

Donald Eggeman - Habitat & Species Conservation (25 years, 5 months)

Margaret Ruark - Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

20 YearsLinda Tripodo - Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
mailto:[email protected]?subject=Non-FTE%20employee%20milestone%20for%20the%20Inside%20Jobmailto:[email protected]?subject=Non-FTE%20employee%20milestone%20for%20the%20Inside%20Job


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15 YearsJoseph Kelsch - Law Enforcement

Douglas Richard - Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

10 YearsCatalina Brown - Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

Nathan Bunting - Habitat & Species Conservation

Brian Christ - Habitat & Species Conservation (19 years, 2 months)

Robert Hawsey - Habitat & Species Conservation

Anthony Knapp - Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

Jamie Poirot - Freshwater Fisheries Mgt.John Roberts - Law Enforcement

Thomas Talley - Information Technology

5 YearsMatthew Cushing - Law Enforcement

Anthony Estes - Finance & Budget

Thomas Ostertag - Habitat & Species Conservation

Maria Shiver - Licensing & Permitting

And "Congratulations; we're jealous," to these retirees:

David Crewz - 35 years (FWRI)

Lee Baldwin - 26 years, 4 months (F&B)

John McDonald - 16 years, 8 months (LE)Billie Carlton - 15 years, 8 months (FWRI)

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the inside job - november 2011

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