About Emergency Management

Chapter 29C of Code of Iowa creates the State Emergency Management Division and the local Emergency Management Commission.

The Story County Emergency Management Commission is made up of all the mayors in Story County, one representative of the Board of Supervisors, and the Sheriff. The Commission appoints a coordinator to manage the agency and assist the commission.

The Story County Emergency Management Commission meets quarterly on the third Wednesday of January, April, July and October. They also determine the budget and have an annual public budget hearing. These are public meetings and all emergency responders and residents are encouraged to attend.

What is Emergency Management?

Emergency management is a coordinated effort, involving local, state, and federal government agencies as well as volunteer organizations and businesses. Within an integrated emergency management framework, these various entities assist citizens and their communities to prepare for, respond to, recover from, and eliminate or reduce the effects of natural, civil, and technological emergencies and disasters.

What happened to civil defense?

The Civil Defense Program was our first form of emergency management and was established during World War II when Congress recognized that our nation may be susceptible to enemy attack. In 1958, federal assistance was offered to state & local jurisdictions for civil preparedness. Later President Kennedy created the Office for Civil Defense and national funds were utilized greatly to create a system of nationwide fallout shelters and local preparedness programs.

Since the 1970's the civil defense program was further broadened to include natural disasters. Disaster Services has now evolved to an integrated and comprehensive Emergency Management Program.

Staying Prepared

The Emergency Management Agency shall assist public officials, emergency responders, schools hospitals, industry and the public to promote emergency preparedness, assist with the coordination of disaster response & recovery operations, and will encourage mitigation efforts in all jurisdictions to ensure the safety and welfare of the residents of Story County before, during and after a disaster or major emergency