Emergency Management
Emergency Management Functions
In the event of an emergency situation, one or more emergency management personnel may respond to the incident site and assist in the field command post. In large situations, an Emergency Operating Center (EOC) is opened to coordinate emergency responses. Many agencies are represented in this center and officials like County Board Supervisors, Sheriff, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Public Health Director, Public Works Director, or Highway Commissioner and other leaders would staff the EOC.
Through the process of preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation the Adams County Office of Emergency Management assists local units of government and agencies in Adams County to develop plans to deal with emergency situations involving natural disaster ( such as tornadoes, floods, and fires) accidents (such as chemical spills, train derailments, or industrial disasters), terrorist attacks or other events that are a threat to life, property and safety.
Jane Gervais
Emergency Management Director
Adams County Emergency Management
401 Adams Street
Suite 5
Friendship, WI 53934
PHONE: (608) 339-4248
FAX: (608) 339-4299
Preparedness
This deals with plan development, training and exercises to handle various disasters which may occur in the County. Our needs, capabilities and resources change daily, therefore this is a continuous process. Plans are often developed even before a disaster occurs to explain the response efforts needed when a disaster strikes. Resources can be a Fire Engine Company, Ambulance Team, Search Dog, or a Helicopter to name a few. Training is continued throughout the year through exercises and classroom training for emergency personnel to explain what needs to be done in an emergency situation. The Emergency Management Director plans at least on an annual basis an exercise or disaster simulation to help prepare emergency personnel and ensure resources are available in order to ensure that if a real disaster strikes, the Community and Emergency Personnel are prepared.
Response
We will aid in responding to various disasters and assisting with necessary resources to bring the situation under control. Depending on the size of the disaster, often multiple agencies and resources need to be mobilized in a response effort. The Emergency Management Director is an integral part of this response effort.
Recovery
This involves returning all those affected by a disaster to their normal lives and operation as soon as possible. This is done by coordinating multiple agencies and programs, and working through each step of the process. This is often done in coordination with the American Red Cross or various volunteer agencies to provide food, clothing, shelter, or clean up efforts for example. Often grants are applied for, volunteers assist, and donation funds are started to assist those involved.
Mitigation
The process of reviewing what happened after a disaster strike and deciding what can be done to safe guard people in the event a disaster occurs in the future. Mitigation leads back to preparedness and creating a continuous process encompassing change and technology to better respond to emergencies in the future.