What is an Emergency Management Agency?
Vol. III, No.. 237 - As a massive snow storm barrels through Ohio, it put Emergency Management into focus
Yesterday, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine issues a State of Emergency, right as a generational snow storm was ready to roll right through the state. Actions like that put one of the most quiet county government functions in to focus — Emergency Management. In Ohio, every county has some form of this office, and its job is to help local governments, first responders, and residents prepare for, respond to, and recover from bad events such as winter storms, floods, or tornadoes.
In Ohio law, each county is required to have an emergency management program that brings together cities, villages, and townships into a single system for handling disasters. The county emergency management agency, often called “EMA,” does not usually send out snowplows or ambulances itself; instead, it serves as the coordinating hub that helps all these different departments and communities work together. The agency is normally overseen by a director, who answers to the Board of Commissioners and works closely with city or township leaders.
On a normal day, when thing are calm, the emergency management agency focuses on planning and preparation. Staff write and update a countywide emergency operations plan, which is a playbook that spells out who does what during different types of emergencies, including severe winter storms. They organize training and practice exercises with police, fire, EMS, road crews, schools, hospitals, volunteers and utility companies so that when something bad happens, people already know each other, have practiced together, and are not trying to figure out roles and responsibilities for the first time in the middle of a crisis.
The agency also spends time on public education, because they know that an informed community is a safer community. Staff may offer information on how to build an emergency kit, how to prepare your home and car for winter, and how to sign up for weather alerts and warnings. This outreach might happen through community meetings, school presentations, social media posts, websites and local media and often done in partnership with other county offices and local media outlets.
When a huge weather disaster comes, the work of the emergency management agency becomes more visible. Agency staff monitor forecasts, talk with the National Weather Service, and share information with township road crews, city public works departments, sheriff’s deputies, and local fire and EMS chiefs so everyone understands what is coming. They help these partners review plans for snow removal, towing and plowing, shelter operations, and how to reach people who are at higher risk, such as older adults or residents who rely on home oxygen or regular medical treatments.
As the storm arrives, the county’s emergency management agency might activate or partially activate an emergency operations center, which is a central room or facility where key decision-makers can gather, share information, and coordinate actions. From this center, the agency tracks the overall situation: which roads are open, where power is out, how hospitals and shelters are doing, and whether any neighborhoods are cut off or need extra help. It does not replace local police and fire stations; instead, it works to make sure they have what they need, that they are not duplicating work, and that help can be shifted across city and township lines when necessary.
During the disaster, one of the most important tasks is keeping the public informed in a way that is calm, clear, and trustworthy. The emergency management agency helps county leaders, especially local law enforcement, share updates about road conditions and any travel advisories, which are meant to guide residents on when it is reasonably safe to drive and when it is wiser to stay off the roads. The agency may also provide information about warming centers, emergency shelters, and where people can go if they lose power or heat, working with other county departments, nonprofit agencies, and faith communities to open and staff these locations.
Another important part of the agency’s work is managing resources and requests for help that are bigger than what a single city or township can handle. If one part of the county needs extra plows, four-wheel drive vehicles, or generators, the emergency management agency can match those needs with resources from other local governments, private partners, or the state emergency management agency in Columbus. This coordination helps make sure help goes where it is needed most and that different agencies are not competing with each other for the same equipment or support.
Once the storm passes, the emergency management agency does not simply turn off the lights and go home. Staff work with local leaders to assess damage, track costs, and document what happened so that the county can apply for state or federal assistance if needed. They also lead “after-action” discussions, looking honestly at what went well and what could be improved, so that the next storm can be handled even better. In a community that values civic capacity, this often includes listening to residents about their experiences and ideas for doing things differently next time.
At its heart, a county emergency management agency is about building relationships and trust long before the snow starts to fall. By planning ahead, coordinating during the crisis, and learning afterward, the agency helps local governments and residents face winter storms and other emergencies with more confidence and less confusion. For neighbors in a place like Miami County and the communities around it, understanding the role of this agency is one step toward being better partners in keeping one another safe when the weather turns dangerous.
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