Leon County Highlights Disaster Preparedness and Resilience at Citizen Engagement Series
Yesterday, Leon County Government hosted its Citizen Engagement Series: Disaster Resilience Edition, highlighting its commitment to teaching community preparedness and safety. The community resilience event provided an opportunity for dozens of County residents to learn how to prepare for all types of disasters from local public safety experts.
“In order to build a resilient community, we must ensure that our residents are prepared for all types of disasters,” said Leon County Commission Chairman Brian Welch. “Events, like the Citizen Engagement Series, are crucial for educating our community members on how to prepare before disaster strikes.”
This interactive, hands-on event puts disaster preparedness front and center as the 2025 hurricane season is officially underway. The event featured four engaging workshops led by local preparedness experts, giving attendees behind-the-scenes insights on the County’s crucial role during disasters and practical tools to stay safe before, during, and after a disaster. This year’s workshops included:
- Bucket Brigade – Led by Leon County Emergency Management, this fast-paced, timed game teamed participants together and challenged them to build a comprehensive disaster supply bucket with essential supplies.
- The First of First Responders – Presented by the Tallahassee-Leon County Consolidated Dispatch Agency, this session provided insight into the critical role of 9-1-1 dispatchers and how to effectively communicate vital information
- Let’s Date Disaster – Facilitated by Leon County Volunteer Services, non-profit partners engaged with attendees “speed-date style” to inform them of their roles during disasters and how they help Leon County prepare and recover.
- Stop the Bleed – New to this year’s event, this training led by Leon County Emergency Medical Services taught life-saving techniques to control bleeding in emergency situations.
"At Leon County Government, we've seen firsthand the critical role resilience plays in disaster response," said Leon County Administrator Vincent S. Long. "The collaboration between County staff members and community partners, working together before, during, and after a disaster, is essential to keeping our citizens safe and well-informed.”
Since its inception in 2012, the County’s award-winning Citizens Engagement Series has aimed to engage with County residents in innovative and impactful ways about County programs and services. Yesterday’s event is one of the many ways Leon County works to build a more engaged and resilient community.
"Each emergency is an opportunity to enhance our knowledge and build a stronger community for future storms," said Leon County Emergency Management Director Kevin Peters. "Our commitment to continuous learning and resilience has earned Leon County the distinction of being the nation's first #HurricaneStrong community."
In addition to the Citizens Engagement Series event, Leon County offers a variety of essential resources to help residents prepare for any natural or human-caused disasters. County residents can visit LeonReady.com to view the 2025-26 Disaster Survival Guide, download the Citizen Connect app for up-to-the-minute emergency information, sign up for Neighborhood Readiness Trainings, and so much more.
For more information, contact Kevin Peters at Leon County Emergency Management at 850-606-3700 or PetersK@LeonCountyFL.gov, or Mathieu Cavell, Leon County Community and Media Relations, at 850-606-5300 or CMR@LeonCountyFL.gov.
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