The mission of Emergency Management is implemented through the Disaster Preparedness Program for:

• Natural and man-made disasters
• People with Special Needs Program
• Public Education Program
• K-9 Search and Rescue Program

This agency is charged with the development and maintenance of a Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, the purpose of which is to:

• reduce the vulnerability of people and communities of Sarasota County to loss of life, injury or damage and loss of property resulting from natural, technological or man-made emergencies such as acts of terrorism or major special events, catastrophes or hostile military or paramilitary action;
• prepare for prompt and efficient response and recovery activities to protect lives and property affected by emergencies;
• respond to emergencies using all systems, applicable laws, plans and resources necessary to preserve the health, safety and welfare of persons affected by the emergency;
• recover from emergencies by providing for the rapid and orderly implementation of restoration and rehabilitation programs for persons and property affected by emergencies;
• assist in anticipation, recognition, appraisal, prevention and mitigation of emergencies that may be caused or aggravated by inadequate planning for, and regulation of, public and private facilities and land use;
• establish the concepts under which the Sarasota County Government will operate in response to disasters through integration;
• define the responsibilities of elected and appointed local government officials and department heads.
• define the emergency roles and functions of city and county departments and agencies;
• provide local guidelines based upon the Rule of Law as it pertains to disaster response;
• provide and coordinate appropriate and available mutual aid response to other disaster-impacted jurisdictions, if requested through the State Emergency Operations Center, in accordance with the Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement.