Emergency Management

Ward County Emergency Management coordinates and facilitates the use of resources to minimize the impact of emergencies and disasters on people, property, and the environment.

Responsibilities

The Emergency Management Department is responsible for:

• Performing technical work in the development, including implementation and management of countywide disaster prevention, preparedness, response, recovery, mitigation, and risk reduction.
• Administering the State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) Grant funds at the direction of the Ward County Emergency Resource Council Steering Committee, a representative group given legal authority by the Ward County Commission to expend these funds.
• Working with the Ward County Local Emergency Resource Council to develop and maintain the Ward County Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) and the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) which defines agency roles and responsibilities and includes the evacuation, sheltering, warning, and terrorism annex.
• Organizing and operating the Ward County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and coordinating support from state and federal organizations during an emergency.
• Providing county-wide training and exercises to prepare for local, regional, and state emergencies and disasters to include classroom-based training in the National Incident Management System (NIMS) for all personnel who may be involved in disaster response and recovery activities.
• Providing guidance to municipalities on the development of disaster management plans.
• Acting as the applicant agent for county and townships for state and federal funding when funding is approved after a disaster has occurred.
• Coordinating and facilitating the use of resources in order to minimize the impact of emergencies and disasters on people, property, and the environment from disasters like tornadoes, flooding, severe weather, etc.