What is Emergency Management?
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT is organized analysis, planning, decision making and assignment of available resources to mitigate (lessen the effect of or prevent), prepare for, respond to, and recover from the effects of all hazards.
THE GOAL OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT is to save lives, prevent injuries, and protect property and the environment if an emergency occurs.
THE EMERGENCY PROGRAM MANAGER has the day-today responsibility for emergency management programs and activities. The role is one of coordinating all aspects of a jurisdiction’s mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery capabilities.
THE EL PASO COUNTY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT facilitates the implementation of the County’s comprehensive emergency management program, ensuring that the county and surrounding local governments can provide essential services during and after a disaster.
AN EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER (EOC) is one of the jurisdiction’s specialized facilities to include personnel and equipment that is specifically designated for use in emergency situations. It is a public resource that serves as:
1. A command center with communications equipment.
2. An operations center for government officials, volunteers and special agencies.
3. An information center that analyzes and disseminates information.
The county office responsible for the EOC’s operations is the Office of Emergency Management (OEM). This office develops exercises to test staff and communications to ensure the facility and its plans are functional.
Although the EOC is not operational all the time, it could be activated in a short time period as the OEM is located at the facility to monitor events as they unfold and to conduct its non-emergency, daily function of managing the county’s emergency program.