About the St. Charles County Division of Emergency Management

The St. Charles County Division of Emergency Management (EMD) is a governmental entity that coordinates Emergency Management Services for St. Charles County, Missouri, by providing inspiration, leadership, planning, education, technical capabilities and resources to protect lives, property and the environment. This is in accordance with State statutes and Federal laws that pertain to Emergency Management or Civil Defense. St. Charles County has a federally funded Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and a proactive community preparedness program. St. Charles County EMD has a federally qualified emergency management program and receives reimbursements annually from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to support administrative and EOC maintenance services. Major industries and community volunteers contribute in kind equipment, services or time, with great community pride.

The Division of Emergency Management promotes unified planning and coordination of disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery against natural or manmade incidents that threaten lives and properties before, during and after a major emergency or disaster. During a major emergency or disaster, EMD coordinates private and public sector resources to support disaster response and recovery from the County Emergency Operations Center. In the event that the incident exceeds local private or public resource capabilities, EMD will request specific resource assistance from the State or Federal Emergency Management Agency. After a major disaster, EMD will seek a state and federal disaster declaration to aid disaster victims and public sector response and recovery efforts.

Within St. Charles County, major emergencies or disasters derived from natural causes include major snow or ice storms, floods, tornadoes and severe weather, as well as the serious threat of a major earthquake along the New Madrid Seismic Zone. Manmade causes (known as technological emergencies) include hazardous materials at fixed facilities or along transportation modes (highways, railroads, pipelines, rivers or airways), radiological hazards, terrorism or public utility disruptions (electric, telephone, natural gas, water and sewer).

St. Charles County has already experienced major emergencies and disasters derived from natural causes (floods, tornadoes and severe thunderstorm straight-line wind damages) and manmade incidents. It is important to keep in mind that St. Charles County is one of the most rapidly growing and progressing counties in the United States, as to population, construction, business, commerce, industry and infrastructure. Along with previous disaster experiences and rapid growth, there is the need to be proactive in community awareness, education and training. While local governments, emergency agencies, critical facilities and disaster relief organizations plan, it is just as important that community be aware of the risks. It is important that the community know what to do before, during and after a major emergency or disaster occurs. The local emergency management program is proactive and promotes teamwork participation by the entire community to save lives, reduce injuries, protect property and the environment. It is a matter of public safety!

VISION
"To provide the highest level of preparedness within St. Charles County, Missouri, by mitigating the effects of major emergencies and disasters on life, property and the environment!" This includes promoting unified planning, training and exercising with local governments, emergency agencies, volunteer organizations, critical facilities (schools, child care centers, senior citizen centers, hospitals and disability centers), businesses and industries. It is in the best interest of public safety and the quality of life for all citizens of St. Charles County, Missouri!

Are you prepared for the next disaster?

The county EOC also serves as a backup emergency dispatch center for various agencies. Ahead of severe thunderstorms or tornadoes, trained Ham Radio spotters are deployed to aid early detection and warning efforts. Multi- agency (local, adjacent county, state and federal) radio communications meet federal standards. Various communication systems, including aviation and marine, were used during the Great Flood of 1993 to save lives!