Purpose:

The Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (OEM) is tasked by Tennessee Emergency Management Agency to coordinate and carry out a comprehensive plan to assist community efforts to prepare for, respond to, and recover from all types of man-made and natural disasters.  This assistance is accomplished through planning, training, grant funding, and mitigation.

Planning:

In September 2009, OEM updated the Anderson County Emergency Management Plan, detailing the preparedness and response actions required of more than 80 agencies during emergencies.  Throughout the year, OEM staff works with many of these agencies to improve response capabilities.

An extensive inventory of resources available from these agencies and the private sector allows OEM to respond to requests for manpower, equipment, and supplies during disaster operations.

Training:

OEM has a leading role in providing and coordinating training opportunities for all emergency response agencies.  Working with the Department of Transportation, Department of Energy, Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, Tennessee Department of Forestry, and Tennessee State Fire Academy, classes in incident command, firefighting, and hazardous materials response are offered locally.  Click here for a list of free independent study classes available to the public.

An important part of OEM is the Damage Assessment Team, comprised of citizen volunteers trained to estimate property damage following natural disasters.  With the help of these volunteers, reports needed to request state or federal assistance may be quickly compiled and submitted.  Please click the "Contact Us" button if you are interested in training to be a member of this team.

Grant Funding:

OEM aggressively pursues federal and state grant opportunities.  Since October 2002, OEM has received grant funds totaling $1.8 million.  In support of the state Homeland Security program, these funds are directed toward equipment and training to improve Anderson County's ability to respond to disasters and threats or acts of terrorism.

As requested, OEM staff provides grant writing assistance to departments seeking awards under the Department of Homeland Security Fire Act Grant program.  Successful OEM-assisted grant requests have provided $700,000 in federal funds to county volunteer fire departments.

Mitigation and Preparedness:

Mitigation includes activities that eliminate or reduce the chance or effects of a man-made or natural disaster.  OEM is responsible for the preparation and maintenance of a comprehensive hazard mitigation plan to provide direction and planning for Anderson County’s six jurisdictions.

To this end, OEM works in cooperation with Anderson County Local Emergency Planning Committee to track location and quantity of hazardous materials used in industry and manufacturing throughout the county.

Response:

OEM is responsible for the coordination of multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional response to natural and man-made disasters affecting Anderson County.  The Emergency Operations Center, activated during major emergencies, serves as a command center for officials to ensure communications flow, resource acquisition, and coordination of response personnel.