Office of Emergency Management

Mitigation & Prevention

The OEM works proactively to identify hazards and reduce risks in the community through planning and preventive measures.

• Develop and maintain the community hazard assessment.
• Create and update the community Mitigation Action Plan.
• Coordinate the community Safe Room grant program with the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission (PRPC).

Preparedness

OEM focuses on ensuring that the community and local agencies are ready to respond to emergencies through training, planning, and coordination.

• Provide public information and presentations on emergency preparedness.
• Maintain relationships with local, state, federal, private, and non-profit agencies.
• Develop and coordinate emergency operations and preparedness plans.
• Assist with emergency planning for schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and large-scale events.
• Conduct training for emergency response agencies and personnel.
• Coordinate community exercises and drills, including one full-scale/functional and two tabletop exercises annually.
• Maintain the community Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and Mobile Operations Center (MOC).
• Manage community warning systems.
• Ensure compliance with the National Incident Management System (NIMS).

Response

When emergencies occur, OEM is on duty to coordinate response efforts and manage resources.

• An OEM Duty Officer is available 24/7 to assist with emergency coordination.
• Activate the EOC and MOC for major incidents.
• Assist with Incident Action Plans (IAP) for large-scale events.

Recovery

Efforts focus on restoring the community and providing support after a major emergency or disaster.

• Coordinate damage assessment and recovery activities after major incidents.
• Serve as the information coordination point for the Potter & Randall County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC).