IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY DIAL 9-1-1           NON-EMERGENCY LINE (352) 249-2790

Emergency Management


Current EOC Status

Level 3 Monitoring 


Citrus DPG 23- map- web_Page_12
Citrus County evacuation map

Emergency Management 

Emergency Management is the process through which a community reduces vulnerability to hazards and copes with natural or man-made disasters. Through an inter-local agreement with the Citrus County Board of County Commissioners, Emergency Management functions for Citrus County fall under the Sheriff in the form of the Emergency Management Division.

The Emergency Management Division builds a comprehensive preparedness program that focuses on five missions: prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery. This Division is the lead coordinator of emergency and disaster response activities.  The goal of these response activities is to preserve life, mitigate hazards, preserve property, and restore social functions. Emergency Management is key to preparing and protecting the community.  In the event of an emergency, be sure to monitor the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office's Facebook, Twitter, or download our app (Android users)/(iPhone users) for live updates and safety recommendations.

The Emergency Management Division is responsible for the following health/safety programs and educational resources:

Citizen Information Line (CIL): We encourage people to only call 9-1-1 for real emergencies. If you need information about a current disaster or ongoing situation, please call 352-249-2775 (this phone line is only open during emergencies or disasters)

2023 Citrus County All-Hazards and Hurricane Disaster Planning Guide: This guide is updated annually and details what you can do to prepare and protect your family, home, or business from specific hazards and disasters. It also includes evacuation details such as maps, checklists, and shelter locations (including the Special Needs Shelter and the Pet-Friendly Shelter). You can view the current guide here or visit the Emergency Operations Center for a printed copy. To identify your evacuation zone, search your address in the Citrus County Geographic Information Systems.

AlertCitrus: Sign up online to receive phone, text, or email alerts related to severe weather or immediate dangers in your neighborhood.

Special Needs Registry: In the event of a recommended or mandatory evacuation, this voluntary program provides transportation, evacuation assistance, and sheltering to residents who do not have the means to evacuate on their own or for those requiring health or medical considerations to the Special Needs Shelter. To join this registry, sign up online.

Alert Messaging Program (AMP): If you have a business, not-for-profit, or faith-based organization that utilizes a digital media board, you can help the Emergency Management Division amplify their messages to the community.  This program sends an email or text message with an important broadcast from Emergency Management that you can then copy and paste into your digital messaging system. To join this program, complete this application.  

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT): This program educates volunteers in a 3-week training course (one full Saturday each week).  After completing training, volunteers can join the Sheriff’s Office team for future trainings or response operations including disaster response, medical operations, light search and rescue, and terrorism. For more information about CERT, view this brochure.  To apply for CERT, complete this application.

Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES): This program is part of the national association for Amateur Radio in the U.S. and consists of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment, with their local ARES leadership, for public service communications when disaster strikes. Volunteers may provide communications at emergency shelters, report severe weather conditions, or pass along important information at a local, state, or global level. To apply for ARES, complete this application.

Damage Reporting: The Emergency Management Division can use accurate and timely reports to assess and document damages within Citrus County.  This information helps decision making during recovery.  It is also crucial to successfully receiving federal assistance in the form of either low-interest loans or grants to help citizens, businesses, and infrastructure recover from a disaster (during federally declared events only).

Weather Stations
Citrus County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management maintains weather stations strategically placed to monitor weather conditions, especially during disasters or emergencies.  These stations are connected to backup power and can provide vital information to first responders and the community.  If you wish to view the weather station data at any time, please visit the following:

Citrus County Courthouse - Inverness, Florida

Citrus County Emergency Operations Center - Lecanto, Florida

Crystal River Fire Department - Crystal River, Florida

To report damages complete this form.

To request assistance complete this form.

MEDIA REQUESTS / INTERVIEWS:

If you have a media request or would like an interview either during a disaster or during blue skies, please contact the Sheriff’s Public Information Office via email at PIO@sheriffcitrus.org 

Emergency Management is unable to accept direct requests. 

Contact Information

Citrus County Sheriff’s Office
Emergency Operations Center
3549 Saunders Way
Lecanto, FL 34461
352-249-2703

emergencymanagement@sheriffcitrus.org

Emergency Management Resource Links

All-Hazards Expo School Art Contest Rules and Entry Form 

Emergency Management 101 Class Sign Up
Click Here