what is WHAT IS the THE ema? EMA? The Baldwin County Emergency Management Agency is a vital part of the community, working hand in hand with our partners and the residents of Baldwin County to ensure that the place we live and work is safe and prepared in the event of an unforeseen emergency or disaster event. If you have any questions or wish to schedule a presentation from EMA, please feel free to reach out to us.
1. RESPONSE EMA responds to all kinds of disasters and emergencies 24 hours a day, seven days a week. With a vast array of knowledge and access to resources such as heavy machinery and generators, EMA can be a valuable asset to f irst responders on scene. In addition, EMA coordinates public advisories and press releases to keep the public informed.
10 • Stay Alert Baldwin 2022
2. PREPAREDNESS EMA is responsible for planning the best response for emergencies or disasters that may occur within the county. These incidents may include a hurricane, tornado, flood, train derailment, large truck accident, hazardous material spill, etc. EMA works with many governmental agencies and civic groups at the local, state and federal levels to prepare for emergencies and disasters. Being as prepared as possible for an incident reduces the time needed to rescue victims, clean up debris and return the community back to normal. EMA coordinates with stakeholders and partners around the county to ensure residents, organizations and businesses are educated about the risks and hazards they face and have a disaster plan in place.
3. RECOVERY It is very important that recovery from a disaster or emergency begins as quickly as possible.
EMA may procure and coordinate the necessary supplies and equipment for recovery personnel to use as they work to bring the community back to normal. EMA works in a supporting role with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide damage assessment and financial assistance to disaster victims.
4. MITIGATION This is a big word that means “to make less severe and reduce future impacts.” EMA works with local governmental agencies to obtain funding for projects such as elevating homes in floodprone areas, providing wind retrofits for roofs or purchasing specialized rescue equipment for responders. With these things in place, our community becomes more resilient.
