Leon County's Kevin Peters wins FEPA's 2026 Gary Arnold Award

Leon County is proud to announce that Emergency Management Director Kevin Peters has received the 2026 Gary Arnold Emergency Management Service Award, presented by the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association (FEPA). The award recognizes an individual or group for dedicated, unselfish, and enthusiastic service that strengthens Florida’s emergency management community.

“Emergency management is one of the most important public safety functions we provide, and Leon County’s team is widely respected for its expertise, coordination, and readiness,” said Leon County Commission Chairman Christian Caban. “We’re proud that this statewide recognition reflects the strength of the Emergency Management work happening here in Leon County.”

As part of the County Administrator’s public safety team, Peters directs operations from the Leon County Emergency Operations Center, coordinating response efforts across local, regional, state, and federal partners and supporting recovery coordination following major events.

Peters has played a key role in strengthening Leon County’s preparedness, response, and recovery capabilities, including leadership during Hurricanes Hermine, Michael, Idalia, Debby, and Helene, as well as the May 10, 2024, tornado outbreak and other significant severe-weather events. He has also helped expand the County’s public-facing preparedness tools, including the Leon Ready online disaster resource hub and the County’s annual Disaster Survival Guide, which provide residents with timely, practical information before, during, and after disasters.

Across Peters’ tenure, Leon County has navigated more than a dozen federally declared disaster events affecting Florida/Leon County by coordinating local response operations and partnering with state and federal agencies to support community recovery.
 
“I am proud to recognize Kevin Peters for exceptional service to Leon County and to the emergency management profession statewide,” said Leon County Administrator Vincent S. Long. “His leadership has helped strengthen coordination across agencies and partners and continues to advance our community’s readiness and resilience.”

During Peters’ time with Leon County, the community also became the nation’s first #HurricaneStrong community, a national resilience designation associated with the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) and partners, recognizing Leon County’s commitment to preparedness and continuous improvement after disasters.

For nearly two decades, Peters has served in critical leadership roles with FEPA, including Vice President, Treasurer, Area 2 Alternate Governor, Legislative Working Group Co-Chair, and FEPA Liaison to the State Emergency Response Commission, advancing the strategic direction of the Association and supporting emergency managers statewide.

The Gary Arnold Emergency Management Service Award is named in honor of Gary S. Arnold, a respected emergency management professional who served in Collier County and shared his expertise statewide until his passing in 2001.

Peters was recognized during the 2026 Florida Emergency Preparedness Conference, held January 26–30, 2026, at the Hilton Sandestin Beach in Miramar Beach, Florida.

For more information about Leon County Emergency Management and disaster preparedness resources, visit LeonCountyFL.gov/EM.
 
About Kevin Peters

Kevin Peters has served Leon County for 19 years, including 13 years as the County’s Emergency Management Director. In this role, he leads Leon County’s Emergency Management program and provides operational leadership for planning, preparedness, response, and recovery, including coordination from the Leon County Emergency Operations Center during activations. Peters also supports interagency and regional collaboration through leadership and governance roles, including service with the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association (FEPA) and engagement in hazardous materials planning and coordination efforts.

Under his tenure, Leon County has advanced community-facing preparedness and resilience initiatives including the Leon Ready disaster information platform and the County’s widely distributed Disaster Survival Guide to better equip residents before, during, and after emergencies. Peters’ work has contributed to Leon County’s sustained focus on resilience and continuous improvement, including the community being named the nation’s first #HurricaneStrong community through a national partnership recognizing local commitment to preparedness and mitigation.

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