Mission
Leading Wake County’s emergency management efforts to cultivate safe, prepared and resilient communities
Purpose
The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) provides emergency management services to Wake County's municipal partners, residents and businesses in coordination with state and regional partners to reduce the impact of all hazards. OEM coordinates emergency management efforts across all County departments and offices, municipal partners, Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOADs), non-governmental organizations and private sector partners to cultivate safe, prepared and resilient communities.
What We Do
OEM supports Wake County by providing a common framework for the protection of residents and businesses from all hazards. OEM provides services across all phases of the emergency management lifecycle, from preparedness, mitigation and prevention activities before an emergency to response and recovery operations during and after a multi-agency and/or multi-jurisdictional emergency.
What We Provide
OEM manages Wake County’s multi-agency coordination system, including the primary, alternate and virtual Emergency Operations Center; emergency communications systems; and Joint Information Center coordination. OEM coordinates comprehensive, integrated risk management and emergency planning for all types of emergencies and declared disasters. OEM develops organizations for response and recovery; conducts federal- and state-compliant training and exercise programs; and equips emergency services with surge capability for complex emergencies.
Core Services
Emergency Management (EM)
Provides comprehensive, integrated capabilities and capacity for managing multi-agency and multi-jurisdictional emergencies impacting Wake County, its businesses, its residents or its environment
Homeland Security (HLS)
Coordinates federal, state and local efforts to provide safe, secure and resilient communities through the prevention of and protection against acts of terrorism across Wake County
Continuity Programs
Provide planning, organization, training and exercising of plans for Continuity of Government (COG), Continuity of Operations (COOP), Business Continuity and Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP)
Incident Management and Operational Coordination
Provides the Multi-Agency Coordination System (MACS) for managing large, complex emergencies and declared disasters, including the Wake County Emergency Operations Center, Joint Information Center and supporting Departmental Operations Centers and incident command in the field
Public Information and Warning
Provides the Joint Information System (JIS) for managing large, complex emergencies and declared disasters, including the Joint Information Center, the Harris Outdoor Warning System consisting of 34 nuclear sirens, Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), and the distribution of critical information before, during and after an emergency
Emergency Planning
Provides comprehensive, interagency planning for emergency operations, hazard mitigation, prevention and protection activities and recovery operations, including the Hazard Mitigation Plan and Emergency Operations Plan
Community Preparedness
Provides outreach, training, education and exercises to support emergency preparedness of employees, residents, businesses and non-governmental organizations, including the Ready Wake program
Post-Disaster Recovery Coordination
Provides comprehensive, interagency capabilities and capacity for managing recovery operations and supporting community recovery, including coordination of federal, state and local assistance programs