Emergency Management

What is Emergency Management?

Emergency Management is the coordinated effort between Local, State, Federal Agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations and the Private Sector in preparing for, responding to, recovering from, and mitigating against natural and man-made emergencies and disasters that pose a threat to human life and property.

Preparing for and Emergency or a Disaster

The most basic response to an emergency or a disaster starts at home. A widespread emergency or disaster has the potential to delay emergency responders from reaching everyone who needs help, so it is important to prepare at home. See the “Preparing” link for tips and guides to help you, your family and loved one prepare for disaster. 

Emergency Operations Center

The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is the centralized location in which Wayne County coordinates the response to and initial recovery from an emergency or disaster. The County’s EOC is also located with the County’s 911 Communications Center and the Office of the County Fire Marshal. Learn more about the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) here.

Emergency Operations Plan

The Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) is an all-encompassing, all-hazards approach to planning for the response and recovery to an emergency or disaster. The EOP provides a framework of policies and procedures for emergency response while keeping in mind that each emergency or disaster is different and a flexible approach is needed to successfully navigate a disaster. See the “EOP” link for more details about Wayne County’s EOP.

Local Emergency Planning Committee

The Wayne County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) exists to promote and maintain public health and safety to the citizens through the promotion of hazardous materials awareness and by supporting local planning and response efforts. The LEPC works to encourage cooperative partnerships between the community, businesses, industries, and response agencies. See the “LEPC” link for more information.

The Evolution of Emergency Management

Emergency Management’s history can be traced back to 1803 when Portsmouth, NC was devastated by fire and prompted the first Congressional Act to provide financial assistance to those effected. Since then, Emergency Management has expanded and evolved to include organizations like the Reconstruction Finance Corps that offered loans for the repair and reconstruction of public facilities, to the founding of the Office of Civil Defense focusing on the protection of American citizens. Emergency Management continued to expand to include standardizing a National Flood Insurance Program and the creation of the Federal Emergency Management Agency as a Presidential Cabinet Position. Emergency Management saw a major focus shift to man-made disaster and terrorist attacks following the attacks of September 11, 2001 and continues to evolve to face the challenges of a modern age including cyber-attacks. See the history page for more information about the changes to Emergency Management.