Emergency Management Department

Our history started in the 1950s with the creation of the Pinellas County Civil Defense to protect against nuclear threat. Over the years, it evolved to a All-Hazards approach.

After each incident we collect feedback from our partners and the community to identify challenges so that we can be better prepared for all hazards. Take a look at the After Action Report for the COVID-19 pandemic 2020-2022.

As a participant in the National Weather Service Weather-Ready Nation program, we join a national effort to build resiliency through local efforts.

As Hurricane Ian approached, Pinellas County distributed more than 37,000 sandbags and sheltered more than 5,000 residents and their pets. The County Information Center staff received 13,000 calls and 3,000 Live Chat messages from residents, and emergency personnel throughout the county continue to serve.

Emergency Management maintains a five-year Strategic Plan with a focus on four overarching goals: address at-risk populations; engage and empower Whole Community partners; ensure operational readiness; and promote resilient communities.

Since the beginning of the 2022 Hurricane Season, we worked with partners to share preparedness information with 250 at-risk residents, assembled 1,000 Hurricane/Hygiene Kits for low-income families, and distributed 1,700 emergency weather radios to vulnerable residents. See how you can Get Involved.