EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

OVERVIEW

Put simply, Emergency Management is just as the name implies, the effective management of emergency and disaster situations.  This system was originally created by the Federal Government under the Civil Defense Act of 1960.  This Act established a system of local, public defense to protect the population of the United States from the threat of nuclear attack.  After the Cold War ended and along with it the major threat of nuclear war, it was decided that there should be an "All-Hazard" defense system to protect the citizens.  This "All-Hazard" system evolved into what we know today as Emergency Management.  The Emergency Management System is based on four distinct phases of operation.  They are:
 

· MITIGATION

· PREPAREDNESS

· RESPONSE

· RECOVERY

Mitigation

Person County Emergency Management utilizes Departmental and County resources, as well as Staff expertise to reduce Community disaster risk and the need for emergency interventions through public education and hazard mitigation.  

Preparedness

Emergency Management maintains trained personnel ready for deployment in the event they are needed during emergencies or disasters. Equipment and supplies are also maintained in a ready state, and are strategically positioned for deployment.

As part of our mission, not only do we maintain a readiness stance, but we also provide community training programs to both Public Safety Agencies, Industry, other County Departments, and the Community at large. This training has the effect of better preparing our emergency responders and the community to work together in times of emergency.

Emergency Management is also the custodian of the Person County Emergency Operations Plan which outlines roles and responsibilities of agencies involved in disaster response. This plan is updated annually and is signed by both County and Municipal elected officials.

Response

The Department maintains a 365 day-a-year, 24 hour per day, on-call posture for both high-impact (those that affect large portions of the population) and low-impact events (emergent situations that have citizen impact) . 

These events include hazardous materials incidents, search and rescue, aircraft incidents, multiple agency emergent incidents, natural disasters (wind, flood, fire and earthquake), technological disasters, Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents, and acts of terrorism.
 

The Department may respond on scene as deemed appropriate to serve as a liaison between the Incident Commander and outside agencies. The Director, or his designee, coordinates all requests for State or Federal agency support. The Department may also bring to the incident the County Mobile Command Post.

Recovery

After a large scale incident or disaster, Person County Emergency Management has several responsibilities that must be carried out in order to provide for a safe environment for our County's citizens.

These responsibilities include compiling damage assessments, initiating requests for State and Federal disaster assistance funds, coordinating of delivery of relief supplies, initiating and canceling curfews, and re-entry coordination.