What is Emergency Management?

Chapter 252, Florida State Statute requires all 67 counties to have a designated Emergency Management Director. Sumter County’s Emergency Management Director is employed by the Board of County Commissioners

Our mission is to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the people of Sumter County through a comprehensive, all hazards system of preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation. We provide a variety of public safety services to first responders, citizens and visitors, enabling them to be ready for any emergency, including natural, technological, and man-made emergencies.

Emergency Management has a comprehensive planning, training and exercise program. Through a cooperative effort, we develop the Comprehensive Emergency Management, Continuity of Government Plan, and Continuity of Operations Plans for county departments, and Local Mitigation Strategy, among numerous other plans.

During times of major emergencies or disasters, Emergency Management will activate the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) with support from our local, state, federal, volunteer, and non-governmental organizations partners.  The EOC serves as a central coordination point for resources and information.

The Citizens’ Information Center (CIC) will also become available during major emergencies. The CIC can be reached at (352) 689-4400. A call-taker will be able to assist you with identifying shelter locations near you, non-emergency issues, and up-to-date information. We ask that you continually monitor the County’s website for information during an emergency and not call the CIC unless it is necessary.

Our main focus, is teaching the public how to prepare themselves for emergency and disaster situations. We routinely provide presentations to student groups, homeowners associations, faith-based organizations, businesses, and various institutions and associations.

Please contact us if you would like to have a member of our staff do a presentation for your organization.