What is Emergency Management?

The process and activities of preventing, mitigation the effects of, protecting against, responding to, and recovering from all threats and hazards.

  • Mitigation: Identify hazards and activities to prevent/lessen the impact of a disaster on lives and property.
  • Preparedness: Assist individuals and communities take steps to be ready for a disaster.
  • Response: Support and coordinate local agency emergency response activities.
  • Recovery: Work to restore public services and return the community to normal.

Generalized Emergency Manager Responsibilities

  1. Coordinating the county government response to the disaster.
  2. Coordinating with any local government(s) affected by and/or responding to the disaster.
  3. Coordinating with any state and/or federal agencies responding to the disaster.
  4. Coordinating with any businesses/industries directly affected by and/or responding to the disaster.
  5. Coordinating, registering, and channeling the service of volunteers.
  6. Generating appropriate public information.

Examples of Emergencies/Disasters

  • Blizzard
  • Tornado
  • Fire
  • Flood
  • Pipeline Leak
  • Train Derailment
  • Hazardous Material Spill/Release
  • Disease Outbreak
  • Motor Vehicle Accident

What functions does the office perform when there is either a man-made or natural disaster?

The Emergency Management Director basically coordinates the response to an emergency and ensures that the response to an emergency is running as safely and efficiently as possible by coordinating the allocation and use of resources. The director works hand-in-hand with Law Enforcement, Fire, Public Health, EMS, Environmental Services and volunteer agencies like Red Cross and Salvation Army to make sure that the Disaster Response is as effective and efficient as possible.

What functions does the office do when there isn't a disaster?

Responding and recovery from disaster is just a small part of functions of the Emergency Management Office. This office is responsible for updates and revisions to the County Emergency Operations Plan, coordinating various exercises to test the plan, conduct public education, provide assistance to local jurisdictions and county agencies before, during and after disaster strikes, applying for State and Federal Grants, participate in on-going trainings in Emergency Management, compiling periodic reports and reviews that need to be submitted to state offices.

How can I make sure my family is prepared for a disaster?

Families should have a disaster plan and practice their plan. Each family should also have a family disaster kit with items in it such as flashlights, water, portable radio, extra batteries.

Family Disaster Kit Contents

Water:

How Much Water do I Need? You should have at least a three-day supply of water and you should store at least one gallon of water per person per day. A normally active person needs at least one-half gallon of water daily just for drinking.

Food:

Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water. If you must heat food, pack a can of sterno. Select food items that are compact and lightweight. Avoid foods that will make you thirsty. Choose salt-free crackers, whole grain cereals, and canned foods with high liquid content.

  • Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables.
  • Canned juices, milk, soup (if powdered, store extra water).
  • Staples - sugar, salt, pepper.
  • High energy foods - peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix.
  • Vitamins.
  • Foods for infants, elderly persons or persons with special dietary needs.
  • Comfort/stress foods - cookies, hard candy, sweetened cereals, lollipops, instant coffee, tea bags.

First Aid Kit

Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car. A first aid kit* should include:

  • Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted size neddles.
  • 2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6) Moistened towelettes.
  • 4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6) Antiseptic.
  • Hypoallergenic adhesive tape Thermometer.
  • Triangular bandages (3) Tongue blades (2).
  • 2-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls) Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant.
  • 3-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls) Assorted sizes of safety pins.
  • Scissors Cleansing agent/soap.
  • Tweezers Latex gloves (2 pair) Sunscreen.
  • Non-prescription drugs Aspirin or non-Aspirin pain reliever Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center)
  • Anti-diarrhea medication Laxative.
  • Antacid (for stomach upset) Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center).

Clothing, Bedding and Sanitation Supplies

Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person:

  • Clothing and bedding.
  • Blankets or sleeping bags.
  • Jacket or coat.
  • Long pants.
  • Long sleeve shirt.
  • Hat, gloves and scarf.
  • Sunglasses.
  • Sturdy shoes or work boots.
  • Sanitation wipes.
  • Toilet paper.
  • Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses).
  • Personal hygiene items.
  • Soap, liquid detergent.
  • Disinfectant.

Tools

  • Emergency preparedness manual.
  • Mess kits, or paper cups, plates and plastic utensils.
  • Portable, battery-operated radio or television and extra batteries.
  • Flashlight and extra batteries.
  • Nonelectric can opener, utility knife.
  • Fire extinguisher: small canister, ABC type.
  • Pliers.
  • Tape.
  • Compass.
  • Whistle.
  • Signal flare.
  • Plastic sheeting.
  • Paper, pencil.
  • Matches in a waterproof container.
  • Aluminum foil.
  • Plastic storage containers.
  • Needles, thread.
  • Medicine dropper.
  • Shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and water.
  • Map of the area (for locating shelters).
  • Cash or traveler's checks, change.

Special Items

Remember family members with special needs, such as infants and elderly or disabled persons.

Adults:

  • Heart and high blood pressure medication.
  • Insulin.
  • Prescription drugs.
  • Denture needs.
  • Contact lenses and supplies.
  • Extra eye glasses.
  • Hearing aid batteries.

Babies:

  • Formula.
  • Diapers.
  • Bottles.
  • Pacifiers.
  • Powdered milk.
  • Medications.

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