Leon County’s Alex MacKinnon Wins Prestigious Florida Emergency Preparedness Association Award

Leon County Government is proud to announce that Leon County Emergency Management Coordinator Alex MacKinnon has been awarded the esteemed 2025 Gary Arnold Emergency Management Service Award. Presented by the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association (FEPA), this award recognizes an exceptional individual for their dedicated, unselfish, and enthusiastic service in advancing the emergency management community.
 
“I am incredibly proud of Leon County's continuous focus on exceeding expectations in the areas of emergency management when our citizens need us most,” said Leon County Commission Chairman Brian Welch. “Alex is an important part of the County team, and his exceptional efforts play a crucial role in our ongoing success in safeguarding our community.”
 
MacKinnon joined Leon County Emergency Management in 2016 and has played a pivotal role in strengthening the County’s preparedness and response capabilities. His leadership during Hurricanes Hermine, Michael, Idalia, Debby, and Helene, and the May 10, 2024, Tornado Outbreak ensured coordinated and effective disaster response and recovery efforts. MacKinnon also helped established local initiatives, including the County’s Leon Ready online disaster resource hub and annual Disaster Survival Guide, which better equip residents with essential tools to prepare for and recover from disasters.
 
“Alex is a local and statewide leader in the area of emergency management,” said Leon County Administrator Vincent S. Long. “For nine years, he has helped coordinate disaster response for 10 federally declared major disasters and so much more. His expertise and unwavering commitment have made a significant impact on emergency management both within Leon County and throughout the state.”
 
While MacKinnon helped execute emergency plans in Leon County during the 2023 and 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Seasons, he also shared his expertise beyond county lines, deploying to rural communities impacted by severe storms. In 2023, he traveled to Lafayette County as part of the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) Support Team to aid recovery efforts following Hurricane Idalia. The following year, he deployed to Columbia County to provide support after Hurricane Debby, demonstrating his commitment to helping others in times of crisis.
 
In addition to his fieldwork, MacKinnon has worked extensively with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to enhance its EOC Skillset Courses, which provide advanced training for emergency management personnel and focus on the critical skills needed to operate EOCs effectively during disasters. By refining and enhancing these courses, MacKinnon helped improve the capabilities of emergency management teams across Florida, ensuring they are better prepared to respond to future emergencies.
 
“Alex’s proactive approach and dedication to emergency management have been invaluable to Leon County and beyond,” said Leon County Emergency Management Director Kevin Peters. “This award underscores his outstanding contributions to the safety and resilience of our community.”
The Gary Arnold Emergency Management Service Award commemorates Gary S. Arnold, a trailblazer in emergency management who significantly advanced emergency communications and technology during his tenure as Emergency Management Coordinator for Collier County before his passing in 2001.
 
MacKinnon was formally recognized at the 2025 FEPA Annual Meeting and Work Session on January 27-31, 2025, in Orlando, Florida.
 
For more information about Leon County Emergency Management and its initiatives, visit LeonReady.com.
 

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