Management Philosophy

Nash County Emergency Management utilizes the four phases of emergency management to operate daily. Emergency management partners with other local, state, and federal agencies and with non-governmental partners and private industry to enhance the emergency management program in the county. This partnership enables all partners to train and exercise together for a state of readiness during disaster response and recovery activities. Emergency management maintains the philosophy of “making a positive difference” for all.

Four Phase

Prevention

Nash County Emergency Management utilizes departmental and county resources, as well as staff expertise to reduce community disaster risk and the need for emergency interventions. Departmental efforts include scenario planning, preparedness exercises, public education and hazard mitigation.

Preparedness

Emergency management maintains trained personnel ready for deployment in the event they are needed during emergencies or disasters. Equipment and supplies are also maintained in a ready state and are strategically positioned for deployment.

As part of our mission, not only do we maintain a readiness stance, but we also provide community training programs to public safety agencies, industry, other county departments, and the community at large. This training has the effect of better preparing our emergency responders and the community to work together in times of emergency.

Response

The department maintains a 365 day-a-year, 24 hour-per-day, on-call posture to emergencies including hazardous materials incidents, search and rescue, aircraft incidents, multiple agency emergent incidents, radiological incidents, natural disasters (wind, flood, fire, and earthquake), technological disasters, weapons of mass destruction incidents, and acts of terrorism.

The department may respond on the scene as deemed appropriate to serve as a liaison between the incident commander and outside agencies. The director, or his designee, coordinates all requests for state or federal agency support.

The department may also bring to the incident any number of pieces of equipment that exists in its equipment cache. These include mobile command posts, support vehicles, generator sets, shelter sets, and other specialized response equipment.

Recovery

After a large-scale incident or disaster, Nash County Emergency Management has several responsibilities that must be carried out in order to provide a safe environment for our county's citizens including compiling damage assessments, initiating requests for state and federal disaster assistance funds, coordination of delivery of relief supplies, initiating and canceling curfews, and re-entry coordination.