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 Background
Organizational Chart
How to Reach Us
Background:
Overview
The Department of Emergency Management began as Pinellas County Civil Defense during the Cold War era of the late 50's and early 60's. The principal focus was protection of the population from the threat of nuclear attack by a hostile country. Over the years it became obvious that Pinellas County's population was vulnerable to a host of natural and technological hazards that were more likely to occur, and on a more frequent basis, than nuclear attack. Thus began the metamorphosis of Civil Defense to Emergency Management. Today the Department of Emergency Management vigorously pursues an "All Hazards" planning strategy in the classic "Four Phases of Emergency Management": Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery.
In a jurisdiction of over 900,000 residents this is no small undertaking. Our philosophy is that such planning efforts are dynamic and constantly changing. Our task is to constantly review, assess, update, and test the County's disaster preparedness plans with the ultimate goal being the protection of our citizens and visitors lives and property. Our success thus far has been evidenced by the State of Florida, Division of Emergency Management's review and approval of our Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP). In addition several of our plans and strategies have been utilized by the State as guidelines for other jurisdictions.
Jurisdiction
Although we provide the framework and mechanism for disaster response and recovery for the entire County, we strongly encourage and support the individual municipalities and Special Fire Control Districts to develop local Emergency Management programs. This partnership helps insure that the specific needs and capabilities of each jurisdiction are adequately planned for. As a result, every municipality in the County has designated a specific person to function as their Emergency Management Coordinator.
Services we provide
- Develop, review, and enhance the County's disaster preparedness and recovery plans for "All Hazards".
- Coordinate and distribute those plans on a County-wide basis.
- Operate, maintain, and enhance the County's Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
- Manage and coordinate County-wide response to, and recovery from, natural and technological disasters.
- Coordinate the County's disaster response/recovery needs with higher levels of government.
- Review and approve health care facility disaster plans as required by Florida Statute 252.
- Serve as coordination point for federal disaster relief programs.
- Develop and deliver public information and education programs about disaster preparedness.
- Plan, conduct, and critique exercises that test and improve preparedness.
- Develop, distribute, and provide instruction on guidelines for businesses and industry disaster planning and continuity of operations.
- Survey county hazardous material locations under the Emergency Planning Community Right to Know Act.
Staffing
The Department's staffing consists of twelve full-time paid positions, one part-time position, one volunteer ACS program supervisor and numerous ACS volunteers.
- Sally Bishop, Director
- David MacNamee, Operations Manager
- Bob Homan, Senior Coordinator
- Doug Blackwell, EM Coordinator
- Ed McKenzie, EM Coordinator
- Janet Walker, EM Coordinator
- Greg Lindgren, EM Specialist
- Debbie Peck, EM Specialist
- Sandy Wilson, EM Specialist
- Ron Neuberger, EM Specialist
- Whitney Creech, Administrative Support Specialist
- Wendy Knott-Comer, Senior Office Specialist
- Neil Lauritsen, A.C.S. Supervisor (Amateur Radio Support)
How to Reach Us:
ADDRESS
400 S. Ft. Harrison Avenue
County Annex, Room 111
Clearwater, FL 33756
PHONE
727.464.3800 Voice
727.464.4024 Fax
727.464.4431 TDD
Email: ema@pinellascounty.org
Pinellas
County Emergency Operations Center
Department of Emergency Management
Citizen Information Center
(727) 464-3800
(during an
emergency activation call (727) 464-4333)
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