Lawrence County Emergency Management Agency:
Who We are and What We Do
The Lawrence County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) was established under Chapter 5502 of the Ohio Revised Code. Lawrence County EMA is the central point of coordination within the county for response and recovery to disasters. The primary focus of the agency when not in a response or recovery mode is to ensure that the coun
ty and its 63,000 citizens are prepared to respond to an emergency or disaster and to prepare for and lead mitigation efforts against the effects of future disasters. When an emergency exceeds the capacity of local government, we request the assistance of the state through the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (EMA). If an emergency response exceeds the capacity of the Ohio EMA, aid is requested by Ohio's Governor from the President of the United States through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. To ensure preparedness and the capability to respond to all levels, it is critical that Lawrence County EMA interface regularly with their local. state and federal counterparts. During an emergency response or recovery effort, all jurisdictions of local government are focused on the event. Lawrence County EMA as the county commissioner's emergency management organization, may activate the Lawrence County Emergency Operations Center located at the county 911 Center to better coordinate the county's response. The team approach is utilized in Lawrence County as part of an integrated emergency management system, encompassing key individuals from various agencies, including fire service, emergency medical service, local hospitals, law enforcement, city and county engineering and public works departments, amateur radio operators and various human service entities from government to charitable to civic organizations.
