Emergency Management Council
Although disasters can't be prevented, we can prepare to face them. Emergency Management offices work with local organizations to develop effective plans that deal with natural disasters and man-made emergencies. These plans are written to cover events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, nuclear power plant accidents, dam failure and hazardous materials incidents.
Our Mission:
The objective of the West Virginia Emergency Management Council shall be:
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To coordinate the efforts of its members in a common front to protect the lives and property of all persons, within its territorial limits, against man-made, as well as natural disasters, and to preserve our National Security.
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To evaluate and disseminate the common experiences and corrective judgments of those specialists trained in, and responsible for emergency management activities.
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To serve as a clearinghouse for ideas, suggestions and courses of action among our members.
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To act in concert with and in a professional advisory capacity to other organizations regarding emergency management matters.
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To offer such assistance as may be requested to members of the Council on his/her request in the promotion of his/her County/City program.
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To offer assistance to the State Director on any emergency management matter.
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To support and encourage statewide participation in all pertinent Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA] programs, including EMPG, which is designed to promote effective emergency management response for the safety and welfare of all West Virginia residents.
Emergency Management accomplishes its mission by coordinating the county's emergency preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation efforts. This broad authority to do so is provided for under the West Virginia Code Chapter 15, Article 5. Exercises dealing with events such as natural and technological disasters and terrorism are designed and conducted annually. These exercises involve local jurisdictions, federal/state agencies, volunteer groups, utility companies and other key private-sector groups. Intensive after-action reviews follow the exercises so that lessons learned can be incorporated into emergency plans.
In West Virginia we face several different types of possible natural disasters. Depending upon the situation at the time, we could have a winter storm and/or flooding issues. Flooding causes more than 90% of disaster-related property damage in the United States and accounts for more than 75% of presidential disaster declarations. During the years 1996 through 1998, West Virginia received more than $112 million in federal assistance due to natural disasters. An estimated 146 people lose their lives each year due to flash floods, the number one weather-related killer in the United States. West Virginia is no exception to this fact. In the last decade, 36 people have been killed in flash floods. Deaths by lightning during the same period was less than 5 and there have been no deaths due to tornadoes. Floods and flash floods are especially common in West Virginia, and it is important that we prepare for flooding prior to another occurrence.
