2026 Speakers to be Announced Soon..

Rich Collins is a public safety leader with more than 35 years of experience and has served as the Emergency Services Director for Sarasota County since August 2014. Sarasota County spans 555 square miles, home to 480,000 residents and welcoming roughly one million visitors each year. In this role, Rich oversees Fire Rescue, Emergency Management, Public Safety Communications, and Beach Safety, leading a team of nearly 700 public safety professionals dedicated to protecting the community.

Throughout his tenure, Rich has guided Sarasota County through numerous disasters, from major hurricanes to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024 alone, his team responded to three hurricanes within a 65-day period—each presenting distinct challenges. Hurricane Debbie brought historic inland flooding, while Hurricanes Helene and Milton delivered significant storm surge and Category 3 winds. The unprecedented 2024 season tested every facet of the county’s emergency planning and underscored Rich’s core philosophy: “Disaster response is every day.”

In addition to his county leadership role, Rich was appointed in 2024 by Governor Ron DeSantis to serve on Florida’s Emergency Communications Board, where he contributes to statewide strategy and oversight of critical communications systems.