SARASOTA COUNTY - Sandra Tapfumaneyi has been named Sarasota County’s next Emergency Management Chief. Tapfumaneyi has served as Chief of Lee County Emergency Management since January 2021 and was recognized as the Chad Reed - Emergency Management Professional of the Year by the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association in 2023. 

In her role as Sarasota County’s Emergency Management Chief, Tapfumaneyi will be responsible for overseeing the preparation, prevention, response, recovery, and mitigation in an all-hazards environment.

In 2022, Tapfumaneyi served as the Incident Commander of the Lee County Emergency Operations Center during the response and recovery of Hurricane Ian, one of the most catastrophic hurricanes to hit the United States. During Hurricane Michael in 2018, Tapfumaneyi deployed to the Florida Panhandle where she served as the Bay County Emergency Operations Center Human Services Branch Director.

Previously, Tapfumaneyi served as the Director of Domestic Animal Services and Operations Chief of Emergency Management for Lee County. She has more than 21 years of professional experience, including crisis and emergency management, and has extensive knowledge in the development of facility-specific emergency management procedures, as well as the development and facility of team training and exercises.

Tapfumaneyi holds a Master of Arts in International Peace and Conflict Resolution from the American University School of International Service and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Global Affairs from Eckerd College. She is a Certified Public Manager (CPM) and has experience with the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP).

For additional information, please call 311 or visit www.scgov.net.

Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net (keywords: ADA compliance).