Overview/Strategic Plan
Overview
Montgomery County’s Emergency Management Agency is the managing body
charged with coordinating responses to natural and man-made disasters
that may occur within the borders of Montgomery County, Tennessee. With
just five staff members, our EMA oversees all four phases of the
emergency management cycle, including:
Mitigation
This includes ongoing efforts to reduce or eliminate long-term risk
to people and property from hazards and their effects). Montgomery
County has a fully accredited Hazard Mitigation Plan, which provides a
hazard analysis and risk assessment for Montgomery County and the City
of Clarksville.
Preparedness
This includes plans and preparations designed to save lives and
facilitate response and recovery operations. The major measures of
preparedness include the development of an Emergency Operations Plan;
recruiting, assigning, and training staff; identifying resources and
supplies, and designating facilities for emergency use.
Response
Response encompasses all activities taken to save lives and reduce
damage from a disaster or other event. This includes providing emergency
assistance to victims, restoring critical infrastructure, and ensuring
continuity of critical services. This involves implementation of the
above-mentioned preparedness plans.
Recovery
The goal of the recovery phase is to return the community’s systems
and activities to normal. This phase may last from just a few days to
several years. Long-term recovery includes restoring economic activity
and rebuilding community facilities and housing.
Montgomery County’s EMA also is certified by the National Weather
Service as a “Storm Ready” community, and hosts annual “Weather Spotter”
classes which train citizens in early detection of severe inclement
weather conditions. Montgomery County was one of the first counties in
Tennessee to earn this certification, which must be renewed every three
years (our certification is valid through 2011).
In addition to these programs, our EMA also facilitates the Community
Emergency Response Team (CERT). This program educates citizens in
disaster preparedness techniques and trains them in basic
disaster-response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue,
and disaster medical operations. Using CERT training, community members
can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event,
and can take a more active role in preparing their community. The
program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security.
Montgomery County teaches CERT twice yearly. For more information about
attending classes, contact Montgomery County EMA at 931-648-5702.
Regarding matters of national security, Montgomery County’s EMA has
been selected as the host agency for Homeland Security District 7, which
is comprised of Cheatham, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys, Montgomery,
Robertson, and Stewart counties, along with the areas of Fort Campbell,
Ky., and the Tennessee Valley Authority region. Members meet regularly
to keep abreast of Homeland Security issues within the District, and to
coordinate projects for Homeland Security Grant funds.
And finally, no Emergency Management Agency could be designated as
such without a fully functional fire service. The Montgomery County
Volunteer Fire Service is a long-standing public/private partnership
organized into five districts featuring six stations, which provide
emergency response services to areas of Montgomery County outside the
City of Clarksville. Each station is strategically located to ensure
maximum participation by volunteer firefighters and rapid response to
emergencies. These stations are located in Palmyra, St. Bethlehem,
Woodlawn, Cunningham, Sango, and the New Providence area (home of the
Montgomery County Rescue Squad). Construction of a new satellite station
to be located in the Cumberland Heights area is set to begin in early
2010.
While Montgomery County Government provides the Fire Service’s
equipment, vehicles, utilities, and insurance, the all-volunteer force
must provide the fire stations, fire hall furnishings, personnel, and
much of the operational funding. To meet their portion of the funding
requirements, the more than 200 volunteer firefighters and their
families and friends host fund-raising events, solicit donations, and
oftentimes give of their own resources to serve the citizens of
Montgomery County.
Strategic Plan
Mission Statement
To provide disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, fire
prevention, fire protection, rescue; to coordinate local and regional
emergency services and recovery services to minimize loss of life and
property. Functions as grant administrator of Homeland Security funds.
Issues
- Federal and State mandates, increased reporting requirements
and deadlines to include mitigation planning and the Basic Emergency
Operations Plan.
- Jurisdictions must comply with Homeland Security
Presidential Directive 5 and Presidential Directive 8, which directs
jurisdictions across the nation to be trained on a standardized National
Incident Management System (NIMS) in order to continue receiving
federal funding.
- Emergency Management Agency is the host agency for Homeland
Security District 7, which is comprised of Montgomery and six
surrounding counties. As the host agency, Emergency Management is
responsible for grant administration and coordination of regional
emergency services.
- Public awareness of disaster planning for themselves and
their families is critical for minimizing the loss of life and property
during an emergency or disaster.
- Equipment maintenance and/or upgrades are necessary for the safety of employees and fire service volunteers.
- To have a sufficient number of trained people to respond to emergencies.
Services
Mitigation Planning, Emergency Preparedness (NIMS, Homeland Security,
GIS), Emergency Operations Planning, Response to Natural Disasters,
Response to Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive
incidents, Recovery Services, Special Events Coordination (Riverfest,
Rivers & Spires, et cetera), Public Awareness (Emergency
Notification System, Speaking engagements, brochures, presentations, et
Cetera), Community Training (CERT, Weather Spotter Classes), Fire
Prevention Education, Fire Protection (i.e. structure, vehicle,
wildland, and other), Hazardous Materials Response, Emergency Medical
First Responders, Search & Rescue, Water Rescue, Extrication,
Traffic Control, Weather-related incidents, Grant Administration for
District 7 (Cheatham, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys, Montgomery, Robertson
and Stewart counties), Coordination of District 7 Emergency Service
Agencies, Maintain List of District 7 Resources, Maintain Contact List
of key people within each agency in District 7 and Provide response to
District 7 communities as needed.