Regional Domestic Security Task Force (RDSTF)
Staff Contact:
Erika Walker
Senior Planner
4000 Gateway Centre Blvd.
Suite 100
Pinellas Park, Florida 33782
Phone: (727)570-5151 ext. 21 Fax: (727)570-5118
erika@tbrpc.org
Regional Domestic Security Task Force (RDSTF)
About RDSTF
Following 9/11, Florida divided itself into seven (7) Regional Domestic Security Task Forces. These regions follow the FDLE regions within the State. The Tampa Bay RDSTF (Region 4) consists of eight (8) counties: Citrus, Sumter, Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Polk, and Hardee. Until recently it also included Manatee, but a realignment to follow the FDLE borders put Manatee in Region 6. Due to the proximity of Manatee and its port and boundary with Tampa Bay, Manatee continues to be involved in our regional planning.
The goal of the RDSTF is to provide a regional response to any WMD or terrorist incident that may occur within the State. It allows smaller counties that do not have lots of resources to draw from those that do. It also allows these smaller counties to provide assistance to larger metropolitan areas if an event occurs there. Addressing security issues at a regional level also allows for “economies of scale” for homeland security funds, especially in recent years as the amount of DHS funding to the States has decreased. Florida has been routinely hailed as a model for domestic security planning throughout the nation as a result of this regional approach.