Serving the Citizens of Jefferson County, Alabama MISSION OF THE JEFFERSON COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY There will always be emergencies and disasters. Mitigating them, preparing for them, responding to them, and recovering from them are primarily the responsibility of the Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency and local government. Because every emergency occurs at the local level, local officials must be prepared to respond quickly and effectively, especially in the initial phase of a disaster before the State or Federal governments provide supplemental assistance. It is, therefore, necessary that local government be able to execute operational plans effectively, mobilize available resources, and call upon response personnel trained to carry out assigned emergency responsibilities. The overall goal of the Emergency Management Agency may be stated as follows: To save lives and protect property by developing programs and emergency operational capabilities that mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from any emergency or disaster. ROLE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY Local government is recognized as the first line of official public responsibility for emergency management activity. The role of the Jefferson County EMA, as the focus of the planning effort, is to develop and maintain an ongoing program of mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. The emergency management agency serves the chief executive by working with the departments of local governments and private sector organizations in the development of plans and capabilities responsive to those hazards which seriously threaten the county. THE ROLE OF THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR The Emergency Management Coordinator: • Is the key leader in planning, coordinator of operations, chief of staff to the local government's executives during emergency response, community liaison to build the emergency program, and supporter of mitigation efforts. • Is responsible for coordinating all the components of the emergency management system in the county. • Is the chief of staff during an emergency, should report directly to the executive; and, by virtue of the authority of the chief executive, coordinate all the functions of local government emergency response. • Works closely with other departments such as the fire department, police department, planning department, and department of public works. • Serves as coordinator when more than one emergency organization is involved. • Maintains the private sector interest in the emergency program. Finally, the Emergency Management Coordinator is unique because of his role in hazard mitigation as well as emergency preparedness, response and recovery. While most mitigation efforts are the primary responsibility of other departments of local government, the Emergency Management Coordinator, still has crucial roles in mitigation??that of motivator, coordinator, and monitor. The coordinator must be alert to risks and monitor opportunities to avoid hazardous conditions. No other agency or organization in government or the private sector has the responsibility to look at all hazards and all risks; no other agency or organization has the mandate to protect the public against any and all emergency conditions. Website maintained by the Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency, Birmingham, Alabama