Emergency Management

Responsibilities

Emergency Management personnel are ready for the next crisis and are preparing to prevent others. They are responsible for mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery for emergency conditions requiring the involvement of multiple agencies.

The Four Tasks

Emergency Management is made up of four main tasks: mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.

Mitigation

Mitigation involves actions taken to prevent or reduce the occurrence of emergencies or risk of life and property damage.

Preparedness

Preparedness is achieved by developing emergency plans for the City and implementing training programs and exercises based on these plans. Preparedness helps to enhance the plans' effectiveness for over 550 emergency personnel.

Response

The coordination of response before, during, and after an emergency or disaster helps save lives, protect property, and speed recovery operations. A member of emergency management will serve as the On-Scene Coordinator at emergency incidents and is responsible for inter-agency coordination and communication and will activate and manage the Emergency Operations Center when needed.

Recovery

During recovery, the division assesses the damages and re-establishes vital life support systems during the early stages of post-disaster, and restores all systems to a normal state after the long-term recovery.

Other Connected Groups and Agencies

Emergency Management manages the City's Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) and all its hazardous material and chemical reporting regulations required by the Federal Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act. Emergency Management also makes recommendations concerning planned major events and VIP visits and coordinates with the Departments of Parks and Recreation, Police, and other City agencies to ensure proper preparation is made.

Serving as the point of contact with all State, federal, and adjoining local government agencies as well as the private sector in matters relating to emergencies and mutual aid requests, Emergency Management may also coordinate secondary agencies when needed at a scene, such as:

• Building inspectors
• Search and rescue agencies
• Street and highway crews
• Telephone companies
• Health Department issues
• Environmental investigations (LEPC)

Emergency Management staff keeps up with all emergencies, even those they are not directly in charge of, and keeps the City Manager's Office and other key agencies up-to-speed with situation reports. The staff works closely with City businesses and industries in emergency planning to help them meet federal and State regulations.

Emergency Management Response Group

The Emergency Management Response Group (EMRG) was established to assist with the functions of emergency management. The group is made up of specially trained personnel to provide technical and management assistance.