Leon County strengthens community resilience with Citizen Engagement Series
Leon County photo submitted
Special to the Outlook
Leon County government hosted its Citizens Engagement Series on disaster resilience as part of its commitment to keeping citizens prepared and the community safe.
The event, which took place last Thursday at the Public Safety Complex, provided an opportunity for community members to gain insights from local public safety experts and learn how to effectively prepare for disasters.
The Citizen Engagement Series: Disaster Resilience Edition brought together nonprofit partners, preparedness experts, public safety officials, and engaged community members to discuss the importance of building community preparedness and resilience in the face man-made and natural disasters.
“A community is only as prepared as its citizens and neighborhoods are,” said Leon County Commission Chairman Nick Maddox. “That’s why these Citizen Engagement events are so important as we head deeper into hurricane season. Be prepared now before disaster strikes.”
Since 2012, the county’s award-winning Citizens Engagement Series has sought to engage citizens in new and interesting ways. This year’s event on disaster resilience included demonstrations and hands-on activities focusing on disaster preparedness. This interactive program gave citizens a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes at the Emergency Operations Center and learn effective ways to respond before, during, and after a disaster.
“At Leon County government, we have witnessed firsthand the importance of resilience in the face of disaster,” said Leon County Administrator Vincent S. Long. “The collaborative efforts between County staff and community partners, working together before, during, and after a disaster, are indispensable in keeping our citizens safe and informed.”
This event reflects Leon County’s continued commitment to building a #HurricaneStrong community. As part of these preparation efforts, residents can visit LeonReady.com, an online hub of resources to help citizens, families, and neighborhoods prepare for and respond to disasters. Citizens can also visit LeonReady.com to sign up for the County’s Neighborhood Readiness Trainings, specifically created to help unincorporated communities prepare for hurricane season.
“Every emergency presents us with an opportunity to enhance our knowledge and build a more resilient community before the next storm hits,” said Leon County Emergency Management Director Kevin Peters. “Our dedication to learning and strengthening our resilience has led to Leon County being recognized as the nation’s first #HurricaneStrong community.”
Additionally, in preparation for the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season, Leon County partnered with Elder Care Services to deliver 100 buckets filled with starter supplies to those in critical need and distributed its 2023 Disaster Survival Guide at the beginning of June. Printed copies of the 2023 Disaster Survival Guide are available at County and City facilities. An online version of the guide can be found at LeonReady.com.
