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1. I thought this office was Civil Defense?

Emergency Management was known as Civil Defense until 1974 when congress enacted the Disaster Relief Act (PL 93-288). That is the time when there was a shift from enemy attack mentality, to natural disaster preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery. That same year gave birth to the Department of Emergency Management for the state and FEMA for the federal government.

2. What functions does the office perform when there is either a man-made or natural disaster?

The Emergency Management Director basically coordinates the response to an emergency and ensures that the response to an emergency is running as safely and efficiently as possible by coordinating the allocation and use of resources. We work hand-in-hand with Law Enforcement, Fire, Public Health, Social Services Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Environmental Services, the Minnesota National Guard (when called upon) and volunteer agencies like Red Cross and Salvation Army to make sure that the Disaster Response is as effective and efficient as possible.

3. What functions does the office do when there isn't a disaster?

Responding and recovery from disaster is just a small part of functions of the Emergency Management Office. We are responsible for updates and revisions to the County Emergency Operations Plan, coordinating various exercises to test the plan, conducting public education, providing assistance to local jurisdictions and county agencies before, during and after disaster strikes, applying for State and Federal Grants, participating in on-going trainings in Emergency Management, and compiling periodic reports and reviews that need to be submitted to state offices.

Sibley County Emergency Management works closely with local, state and federal officials and cooperatively with neighboring jurisdictions, to better prepare for and respond to incidents ranging from tornadoes to terrorism to pandemics.

4. How can I make sure my family is prepared for a disaster?

As with the Emergency Management Office, it is important for all families to have a disaster plan and to practice their plan. Each family should also have a family disaster kit with items in it such as flashlights, water, portable radio, and extra batteries.

For further information on how you can plan for your family before a disaster strikes, look under Emergency Management and go to the links provided on our web page for "Family Preparedness."