Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners voted to establish Emergency Management as a standalone county department, separating it from Public Safety in a move officials say reflects the growing scope and complexity of disaster preparedness, response and recovery.
County leaders said the change is intended to strengthen the county’s ability to manage emergencies as Charlotte County continues to grow and face increasingly complex risks tied to population growth, severe weather and other hazards. Emergency management responsibilities have expanded significantly in recent years, driven by major hurricanes, tornado outbreaks and public health emergencies.
“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,” County Administrator Hector Flores said.
As part of the restructuring, the County Commission appointed Patrick Fuller as director of the newly established Emergency Management Department. Fuller has served as Charlotte County’s emergency management director since 2019 and has led response efforts during multiple presidential and state disaster declarations, including hurricanes, tornadoes and pandemic-related emergencies.
Patrick Fuller has been appointed director of Charlotte County’s newly established Emergency Management Department following a vote by county commissioners to separate the function from Public Safety.
Charlotte County government
Before joining Charlotte County, Fuller served as Region 6 coordinator for the Florida Division of Emergency Management, where he supported county-level emergency operations and recovery planning across Southwest Florida. His background also includes military service as a master sergeant in the 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 Federal Emergency Management Agency Emergency Management Institute, the 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.
County officials said the newly formed department will continue to focus on preparedness education, training, emergency planning, response coordination and disaster recovery. The reorganization is designed to elevate emergency management within county government, allowing for more focused leadership, coordination and long-term planning as the county works to improve resilience and readiness for future emergencies.