Communications Department

We lead countywide emergency communications coordination, share public information with the media, community partners and the public, produce public meeting broadcasts, conduct community outreach/engagement, and ensure prompt customer service through LiveChat and main County phone lines.

Over 70 events organized or attended on average each year from FY19 to FY23.

Department staff earned Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) Golden Image Awards in 2024 for the Discovering Pinellas: Hurricane Myths vs Facts video and an Animal Services adoption campaign.

The Pinellas County Communications web team received the National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Awards of Excellence electronic communications award in 2023 for the Pinellas.gov website refresh.

Department staff received NACIO’s 2022 Awards of Excellence video series and public education campaign awards for Discovering Pinellas and the Make Pinellas Count Census Campaign, respectively.

Department Director Barbra Hernandez earned the 2021 Florida Public Relations Association State Member of the Year Award for industry leadership.

Attained the live chat LiveHelpNow Best Customer Service Award each month from October 2020 through June 2024.