“To protect and preserve the lives, property, and historic character of Wabasha by fostering a resilient community through proactive planning, preparedness, and effective response to all emergencies.”
OVERVIEW
The Emergency Management Department’s mission is to provide leadership and assistance to residents, visitors and city employees alike in an effort to reduce the harmful effects caused by disasters. The team works alongside all city departments, including Fire, Police, Ambulance and Public Works.
GOAL
By utilizing both a “Whole Community” and “All-Hazards” approach to emergency management we seek to unite stakeholders and support communication, collaboration, and information sharing in order to improve emergency response and enhance community engagement and participation. Emergencies include natural and manmade disasters.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
- Prevention – Take action to prevent imminent threats.
- Protection – Secure the city against manmade and natural disasters.
- Mitigation – Reduce impact of hazards.
- Response – Coordinate disaster-related actions.
- Recovery – Restore city to pre-disaster condition.
DUTIES
Strategic Planning & Compliance
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Comprehensive Planning: Develops and maintains the city’s comprehensive emergency plan for Council approval and ensures all city agencies perform their assigned functions.
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Regulatory Alignment: Ensures the city emergency organization conforms to the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and M.S. § 12.25.
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Resource Assessment: Conducts studies and surveys of city human resources, industries, and facilities to determine their adequacy for disaster response.
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Economic Stabilization: Establishes necessary economic stabilization systems and service boards in accordance with state and federal directions.
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Reporting: Prepares and submits regular reports on emergency preparedness activities to the Mayor.
Operational Leadership & Authority
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Primary Supervision: Oversees the organization, administration, and operation of the City Emergency Management Organization.
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Inter-Agency Integration: Integrates city emergency activities with the plans of the federal government, the state, and the county.
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Resource Mobilization: Utilizes existing city departments, personnel, equipment, and facilities to the maximum extent practicable during an emergency.
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Governor’s Orders: Executes all orders, rules, and regulations issued by the Governor regarding emergency management.
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Political Neutrality: Ensures the organization remains strictly non-partisan and does not participate in labor disputes or political activities.
Partnerships & Mutual Aid
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Agreement Development: Negotiates and develops mutual aid agreements with other political subdivisions for reciprocal assistance during major disasters.
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Regional Representation: Represents the city at regional or state emergency management conferences.
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Liaison Services: Acts as the primary liaison between the city and federal, state, and local jurisdictions to coordinate preparedness activities.
Training & Public Readiness
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Program Implementation: Institutes training programs and public information campaigns to educate the community.
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Readiness Testing: Conducts practice warning alerts and emergency exercises to ensure the City Emergency Plan is operational and effective.
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Volunteer Recruitment: Coordinates the recruiting and training of volunteer personnel needed to augment regular city departments during a disaster.
Emergency Powers (In Coordination with Mayor/Council)
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Emergency Regulations: Assists the Council in promulgating temporary regulations regarding the conduct of persons and the use of property during a disaster.
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Contractual Expediency: Facilitates the city’s power to enter contracts and incur obligations quickly during a declared emergency, bypassing certain time-consuming legal formalities (per M.S. § 12.37).
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Response Invocation: Coordinates the activation of response and recovery aspects of local disaster plans once a local emergency is declared by the Mayor.
Full Description Here: CHAPTER 33: EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
WHAT IS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT?
“Emergency Management” is a managerial function that helps communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters and other hazards. It involves analyzing risks, planning, decision-making, and assigning resources to minimize the impact of people, property, and the environment.
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION
Sign up for city alerts such as snow emergencies, emergency water shut offs, and all citywide emergencies.
Email: pwasst@wabasha.org
Phone: 651-560-4052
Email: paramedic@wabasha.org
HELPFUL LINKS
Wabasha County – ALL-HAZARD EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN
Wabasha County Emergency Management
Minnesota Homeland Security & Emergency Management
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
National Incident Management System (NIMS)
National Response Framework (NRF)
National Weather Service – LaCrosse
