Charlotte County Establishes Emergency Management as an Independent Department

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. (Jan. 14, 2026) - The Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners voted to establish Emergency Management as a standalone department, separating it from Public Safety to better address the growing demands of disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation.

The commission's decision recognizes the expanding scope and importance of emergency management functions, which have grown significantly in response to recent emergencies and evolving community needs.

"As Charlotte County continues to grow and face evolving risks, this decision strengthens our ability to prepare for and respond to emergencies while supporting long-term recovery and resilience for our community," said County Administrator Hector Flores.

As part of this transition, the County Commission has appointed Patrick Fuller as the director of the Emergency Management Department. Fuller has served as Charlotte County's Emergency Management director since 2019 and brings extensive experience in disaster planning, response operations, and intergovernmental coordination.

Fuller's leadership record includes directing emergency response efforts through multiple presidential and state disaster declarations, including hurricanes, tornadoes and pandemic responses. He previously served as Region 6 Coordinator for the Florida Division of Emergency Management, where he supported county-level emergency operations and recovery planning. Fuller's background also includes distinguished military service as a master sergeant in the United States Marine Corps Reserve.

Fuller holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Florida State University and has completed more than 600 hours of professional emergency management training through the FEMA Emergency Management Institute, National Domestic Preparedness Consortium, and other institutions. He is a Florida Professional Emergency Manager , a Florida Certified Public Manager , and holds a FEMA Advanced Professional Series certificate.

"I am honored by the commission's support and look forward to leading our Emergency Management Department as it continues to build resilience, strengthen partnerships, and enhance public safety for all residents and visitors," Fuller said.

The newly established Emergency Management Department will continue its mission to safeguard Charlotte County through preparedness education, training, planning, response coordination, and disaster recovery efforts.

For information, contact Ashley Turner at 941-833-5610 or [email protected].

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