Emergency Management

The Emergency Management Agency works with all community stake holders including governmental agencies, volunteer organizations, and private sector organizations to maintain a comprehensive emergency management program.
Hazard Collage

Emergency Management Overview

Emergency Management protects communities by coordinating and integrating all activities necessary to build, sustain, and improve the capability to mitigate against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from threatened or actual natural disasters, acts of terrorism, or other man-made disasters.

Local Network of Support

This office works locally with:

  • Emergency medical services
  • Fire departments
  • Hospitals
  • Law enforcement agencies
  • Public health
  • Public works
  • Utilities (such as pipelines, electric lines, and water)
  • Many other local agencies

State & Federal Cooperation

In addition to the local facilities and services, we work with many state organizations like the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division as well as with federal agencies, such as the Federal Emergency Agency (FEMA) and the United States Department of Homeland Security.

Importance of Local Emergency Management

Emergency management is the managerial function charged with creating the framework within which communities reduce vulnerability to hazards and cope with disasters. Because disasters start locally, county emergency management coordinators and agencies have a vital role in preparation for, response to, and recovery from disasters - both natural and man-made. 

Local emergency management agencies are the backbone of the state's emergency management system. They provide coordination of local resources, collaborate with local, state and federal partners to ensure the local response communities have adequately planned, trained, exercised and are well-equipped to respond to all hazards. 

Emergency Management Commission

The Hardin County Emergency Management Agency is governed the Emergency Management Commission.