Sarasota County Emergency Management is the lead agency in the county’s disaster preparation, response, mitigation and long-term recovery efforts. The Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) is the guidance document utilized by Emergency Management.

When activated, DOH-Sarasota serves as the lead organization for Sarasota County Emergency Management’s Emergency Support Function (ESF) 8 to sustain the public health and medical system during a disaster.  One very important responsibility of DOH-Sarasota is the coordination of the Special Needs Shelters.