“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
- Works to develop and update emergency management policies, plans and materials.
- Manages and oversees the city’s Emergency Operations Plan and the Emergency Operation Center.
- Develops vital relationships with local municipalities, county organizations and state and federal officials to facilitate communication, response effort coordination, shared equipment/personnel, etc.
- Consults with local and area officials and leaders (government, schools, hospitals and other important organizations) to determine their needs and capabilities in the event of an emergency.
- Partners with non-government organizations (NGOs) to gain knowledge and resources needed during times of disaster.
- Applies for federal funding for emergency management needs.
- Continues professional education by attending relevant meetings, conferences and workshops related to emergency management.
- Updates emergency response policies and procedures as needed based on regulation changes, technological advancements and/or gained knowledge from other emergencies (local, national and international).
- Serves as city’s primary point-of-contact for all prevention, mitigation, response and recovery related efforts.
- Utilizes National Response Framework (NRF) and National Incident Management System (NIMS).
- Leads coordination of inter-agency response by establishing a unified command.
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
