Logan County Emergency Management Agency
- 1855 State Route 47 West
- Bellefontaine, OH, 43311
- 937-593-5743
Emergencies can take place at any time and location. First responders manage them every day (accidents, fires, utility outages). Some incidents are more serious, involving multiple agencies and putting large segments of the population in danger. Without a coordinated response, confusion and fear can take over. This is where the Logan County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) comes in.
Our mission is to reduce the impact of natural and technological disasters on the Logan County area through effective planning, education, and resource management. We do this by working throughout the four phases of an emergency: mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. Our primary functions include coordination of resources, planning, exercises, and training.
More specifically the local EMA:
- Educates the public about actions to take should an emergency occur
- Coordinates mitigation efforts against future hazards
- Coordinates recovery efforts after major events
- Acts as a resource coordinator during major emergencies
- Provides training for emergency and other personnel
- Conducts exercises covering the major function of the Plan
- Develops and maintains an Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)
- Identifies resources available locally, both public and private
- Determines the hazards particular to the local area e.g. floods, tornadoes, hazardous materials, terrorism
- Acts as a liaison between local and state agencies
The agency is charged with writing, updating, and exercising the County Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). This plan is a policy document that guides the response to any natural or manmade disaster that affects Logan County. The plan helps us work together and minimize duplication of efforts.
EMA works closely with public safety (fire, law enforcement, emergency medical services, hazardous materials teams), public works (water, wastewater, street and highway departments, engineers), health and medical agencies, utility companies, industry, elected officials, various community groups and citizens in developing, exercising, and implementing these plans. Plans are updated as needed and exercised on an annual basis to assure they will work should a disaster occur.
In addition to the planning process, the Logan County EMA coordinates and pays for specialized training for first responders and others who participate before, during, and after a disaster. Presentations on disaster preparedness and weather related topics are also available on request.
During times of disaster, the Logan County Emergency Management Agency is charged with activating an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to provide coordination and support for the response efforts. The EOC is made up of responders and elected officials. Emergency and Disaster Declarations are made by the Logan County Commissioners when response needs are greater than local funds and/or resources.
The Emergency Management System came out of the Civil Defense movement of the 1950’s. For those of us who weren’t around back then, the focus of civil defense was to prepare for the possibility of nuclear war. The Robert T. Stafford Act of 1988 is the federal law that updated civil defense to include all types of hazards. Emergency Management in Ohio is established through Section 5502 of the Ohio Revised Code.
The Logan County EMA was established under ORC Section 5502.26 by Commissioners resolution #537-90 on November 20, 1990. All jurisdictions in the county adopted a similar resolution. The EMA is governed by an Executive Committee made up of one county commissioner, three mayors, three township trustees, and two at-large members. The board meets bi-monthly with the staff.
The Logan County Emergency Management Agency operates with a full-time staff of two including the Director and a Deputy Director or Administrative Assistant. The EMA Office is located at 1855 State Route 47 West, Bellefontaine. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm.
The Logan County Emergency Management Agency may be contacted by phone at (937) 593-5743, fax at (937) 592-1062, email at ema@logancountyohio.gov or by writing to the above address. Questions, comments, or requests for speakers are always welcome.
