Emergency Management

Are you prepared?

Prepara­tion is key to navigating any natural or man-made emergency, and this publication sets forth practical steps and advice for ensuring the safety of you and your family should the worst occur. View our Disaster Preparedness Guide. 

What we do...

The Emergency Management Division is responsible for performing technical work in the development, implementation, and management of countywide disaster prevention, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation activities. Division staff provides countywide planning, training, and exercise programs in order to be prepared for natural, technological, and/or man-made emergencies. In addition, staff manages and coordinates the County's Emergency Operations Center during times of emergency.

The development of the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP), Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP), and Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) is a cooperative effort with various local government entities, non-profit agencies, and faith-based organizations.

Division staff is responsible for the development and maintenance of plans that include evacuation, disaster housing, emergency shelters, debris management, damage assessments, emergency fuel, floodplain management, wildfire protection, and homeland security. The Division also provides guidance to its municipalities and support agencies on the development of disaster management plans.

Teaching citizens how to prepare themselves for disasters is critical to the resilience of Bay County. Emergency management staff provide hours of lectures to student groups, homeowners associations, faith-based organizations, businesses, and various institutions and associations. These workshops and seminars focus on disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation techniques. Throughout the year, the Division provides informational brochures and guides, establishes preparedness fairs and events, produces public service announcements, and manages the County's emergency notification website (www.alertbay.org).
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Bay County Emergency Management is committed to safeguarding our community’s future. Collaborating closely with sister municipalities and dedicated partner agencies, we have developed the Bay County Local Mitigation Plan—an essential roadmap to enhance our resilience against emergencies such as hurricanes, floods, severe weather, and other disasters. Our mission is to protect lives, minimize damage, and accelerate recovery efforts. One of these efforts is to recognize that the Bay County LMS Plan is a living document that must be updated after every disaster event or at least every 5 years.

This comprehensive plan incorporates valuable insights from both public and private sectors, but your voice is crucial. We invite you to participate in our quarterly meetings, which are publicly posted and open to all. Together, we analyze potential threats and develop innovative, cost-effective strategies to reduce their impacts.

Join us at our next meeting (details in the link below) and be a vital part of building a safer, more prepared Bay County.

November 12, 2025 Zoom Meeting 

Local Mitigation Strategy Plan

Local Mitigation Strategy Link