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Emergency Management

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Paul Womble
Director

Phone: (863) 298-7000
Toll Free: (800) 780-5346

Email: PaulWomble@polk-county.net

Office Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Emergency Management is responsible for planning and coordinating actions to prepare, respond and recover from natural or man-made disasters in Polk County.

It manages the County Emergency Operations Center, which is the central coordination facility for all disasters. It also plans and conducts emergency training and serves as a liaison with state and federal emergency agencies.

Emergency Management also partners to produce Polk County’s annual Hurricane Shelter Map, hurricane shopping list and educational events to help residents prepare for a potential disaster. Emergency Management can help with emergency preparedness (alerts), health safety notices, finding storm shelters and finding hurricane shelters.

Additional responsibilities that Emergency Management helps coordinate include:

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FAQs

Shelters are only open on an as needed basis during an event, not year-round.

No, we do not allow pets at Special Needs shelters. We only allow service animals in Special Needs Shelters.

No, but you should bring vaccination records (if available), an airline-approved crate, and a seven-day supply of food for you and your pet.

Please contact your homeowner’s insurance company or local charities.

Yes, click here to see a complete list of shelters. Shelter maps in English and Spanish are also available at most Publix locations and at the Emergency Operations Center at 1890 Jim Keene Blvd., Winter Haven, FL 33880.

Resources

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