The Office of Emergency Management
Posted by Charles P. Rehberg
on Apr 22, 2013
On April 22nd, Justin Kates, Director of Emergency Management for the City of Nashua spoke to the Rotary Club of Nashua about the Office of Emergency Management. Justin Kates joined the mayor's cabinet in August 2011 as the Director of Emergency Management for the City of Nashua. Coordinating city-wide emergency response efforts, working with Federal, State, and other Municipal governments on obtaining the necessary resources to recover after a disaster, developing the All-Hazards Emergency Operations Plan for the city and chairing the Local Emergency Planning Committee are all parts of his responsibilities.
Prior to joining Nashua, Mr. Kates was an emergency management consultant for the Delaware Emergency Management Agency, developing plans on communications interoperability, citizen notification systems, special needs programs, and volunteer management. He has served numerous emergency operations center activations as the Communications Unit Leader, Situation Unit Leader, and most recently the Planning Section Chief. In addition, he helped develop the State of Delaware Citizen Corps program, a program intended to educate citizens of the disaster risks in their community and to leverage them as volunteers.
Mr. Kates has served as a volunteer in the emergency services field as an amateur radio operator, volunteer firefighter, and Red Cross volunteer. He is a current member of the International Association of Emergency Managers.
Mr. Kates is a graduate of the University of Delaware where he majored in Emergency Management and Public Administration. He resides in Nashua.
ABOUT THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT:
The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) coordinates the efforts of all city departments and the at-large community to ensure that city officials are prepared to respond quickly and effectively should disaster strike.
The Office also maintains and administers the Nashua Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, mandated by the state and federal government to outline Department responsibilities during a disaster. The OEM works hard to keep communications networks, transportation systems, infrastructure facilities, and vital public goods and services flowing to residents and businesses in the city when emergencies occur.
Emergency Management isn't just active during emergencies. Nashua's OEM is involved in all four phases of emergency management including Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery.
Nashua OEM Responsibilities
The Office also maintains and administers the Nashua Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, mandated by the state and federal government to outline Department responsibilities during a disaster. The OEM works hard to keep communications networks, transportation systems, infrastructure facilities, and vital public goods and services flowing to residents and businesses in the city when emergencies occur.
Emergency Management isn't just active during emergencies. Nashua's OEM is involved in all four phases of emergency management including Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery.
Nashua OEM Responsibilities
- Coordinates the planning, organizing, and carrying-out of emergency management activities. Serves as the lead point of contact in any emergency situation (other than Police and Fire emergencies)
- Responsible for the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) outlining what each local agency/city department and support agencies would do in case of any emergency. Coordinates the development, maintenance, and review of the CEMP and other plans as needed
- Establishes, develops, maintains, and runs an Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
- Develops EOC staffing and internal procedures to permit key officials to conduct coordinated operations in emergencies. Coordinates the use of resources, equipment, and manpower
- During emergencies coordinates emergency resources, reports activities and conditions to State Emergency Management, and requests assistance as needed
- Coordinates damage assessment activities and promptly reports all damage assessment reports to the State
- Facilitates tests and exercises to give local officials practice in directing coordinated operations under simulated emergency conditions
- Establishes a system to alert key local officials in the event of an emergency
- Coordinates and leads emergency communications planning. Secures all required equipment, and exercises emergency communications
- Serves as the community representative in dealing with other governmental and private organizations.
- Coordinates public information programs to keep all residents of the community informed about emergency management activities
- Coordinates with doctors, hospitals, and public/private sector medical personnel to develop emergency medical plans and capabilities, as part of local emergency plans
- Establishes and maintains a shelter system including coordinating with City transportation resources
- Establishes and maintains an emergency public information system and trains personnel to use it
- Coordinates with the Red Cross and other volunteer groups to develop an emergency welfare capability to care for people needing mass care as a result of any emergency
- Establishes and maintains relationships with industry to develop industrial emergency plans and capabilities in support of local emergency plans
- Coordinates training and exercise programs to prepare emergency management personnel for emergency operations including all city divisions and employees involved in emergency management
- Assists local operating departments such as Police, Fire, and Public Works with their training needs
- Coordinates and participates in training programs for the public
- Assists in the establishment of mutual aid agreements to coordinate needed services, equipment, or other resources during an emergency
- Secures matching funds and other assistance available through the NH Homeland Security & Emergency Management program and through federal programs
- Keeps the Mayor and key personnel fully informed of all emergency management matters (with the exception of police and fire emergencies)
- Assists community agencies and businesses in developing their plans for responding to emergencies Justin then spoke on the different emergency programs and websites that people can access for emergency information:
CERTSReadyrating.org (Red Cross Ready Rating)LEPCNashua VOADNashuaNH.gov/emergency (the main website in Nashua for emergency info)Code Red (a new system coming soon that will notify all citizens in case of emergency)589-3456 (emergency line info)
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT INTERNS:
The Nashua, NH Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Internship Program provides students with a unique opportunity to apply classroom skills and theory to real life work situations. This hands-on program is designed to strengthen fundamental emergency management concepts and develop the confidence and skills of the next generation to prepare them for future employment opportunities.
As an intern, participants are expected to employ their skills and abilities to contribute to the objectives of the emergency management program. Our internships provide exposure to industry professionals and promote career development. To support that endeavor, interns will be assigned projects based on interests and specific project availability.
Justin then answered the multitude of questions from the membership.