Emergency Management Agency

 

CONTACT INFORMATION
Phone: 706-779-5983
Phone: 706-779-5984
Fax: 706-779-3593

The Stephens County Emergency Management Agency coordinates the efforts of the county in preparing for, mitigating the hazards associated with, responding to, and recovering from disaster and major emergency in the community. Formerly known as Civil Defense due to its focus on preparedness for nuclear attack, Emergency Management changed with the times and shifted priorities to include an “All Hazards” approach to emergency planning. This includes emphasis on preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation, regardless of the cause or nature of the emergency.

Stephens County Emergency Management is the local branch of the Georgia Office of Homeland Security-Georgia Emergency Management Agency (OHS-GEMA) at the state level, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (OHS-FEMA) at the federal level. Stephens County EMA works in coordination with these agencies, others at the state and federal level as well as the local level before, during, and after an emergency or disaster to help and ensure the protection of lives and property.

It is the mission of Stephens County Emergency Management to help in every effort of the county to protect the lives and property of the citizens of Stephens County from the hazards associated with natural and man-made disasters and emergencies. In this interest, we strive to maintain a comprehensive, state approved emergency management program. The Local Emergency Operations Plan (LEOP) is a tool of this effort, and serves as a framework for local emergency response. It outlines responsibilities, activities, and actions of county departments as they respond to major emergencies and disasters in the community.

The mission is also enhanced by encouraging the public to be as prepared as possible for times of crisis by being educated and informed about hazards most likely to threaten our community, develop family and business preparedness and response plans, and be as self-sufficient as possible within the initial 72 hours after a major emergency or disaster. These efforts on the part of our citizens will allow sufficient time for assistance from other levels of government to be deployed to our community if and when necessary.

There are four main areas of focus utilized by this department in meeting its goals:

MITIGATION: Educate the public to ensure that they are familiar with how to receive and respond to hazard warnings to reduce personal harm, suffering, or hardship; or property, environmental, or economic loss; reduce the likelihood of widespread disruption of basic community services and activities.

PREPARATION: Coordination and management of available resources and personnel necessary to support response and recovery to major emergency or disaster.

RESPONSE: Coordination of effective and timely response to reduce the degree of potential harm and disruption associated with the occurring or imminent hazard.

RECOVERY: Help facilitate the timely restoration of essential services, support systems, and routine operations after a major emergency or disaster.