Emergency Management Division

What we do...

The Emergency Management Division is responsible for performing technical work in the development, implementation, and management of countywide disaster prevention, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation activities. Division staff provides countywide planning, training, and exercise programs in order to be prepared for natural, technological, and/or man-made emergencies. In addition, staff manages and coordinates the County's Emergency Operations Center during times of emergency.

The development of the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP), Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP), and Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) is a cooperative effort with various local government entities, non-profit agencies, and faith-based organizations.

Division staff is responsible for the development and maintenance of plans that include evacuation, disaster housing, emergency shelters, debris management, damage assessments, emergency fuel, floodplain management, wildfire protection, and homeland security. The Division also provides guidance to its municipalities and support agencies on the development of disaster management plans.

Teaching citizens how to prepare themselves for disasters is critical to the resilience of Bay County. Emergency management staff provide hours of lectures to student groups, homeowners associations, faith-based organizations, businesses, and various institutions and associations. These workshops and seminars focus on disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation techniques. Throughout the year, the Division provides informational brochures and guides, establishes preparedness fairs and events, produces public service announcements, and manages the County's emergency notification website (www.alertbay.org).

Emergency Management telecommunicators work 24-7-365 operation.  Because an emergency can, and will, happen any time of day, our communications operators are always ready to take calls.  We are responsible for all 9-1-1 medical and fire calls in Bay County.  We also dispatch after-hours for Bay County Animal Control, Roads and Bridges, Traffic Engineering, Utilities, and the American Red Cross.

Our telecommunication operators are highly trained to handle extremely serious and stressful calls.  Many callers who use 9-1-1 services are experiencing what they would consider the worst day of their life.  It is the job of our communications operators to get them the help and resources they need. 

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Local Mitigation Strategy Plan

Local Mitigation Strategy Link