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HomeAbout HSEMDProgramsDisastersCounty Emergency ManagementNews RoomResource Room |
HSEMD's Role in DisastersDuring disasters and other large and small emergencies, HSEMD assists local governments and coordinates the state's response activities, including interaction with federal government, non-profit, faith-based, volunteer, and private-sector partners. HSEMD assists local emergency management in a variety of emergency situations. A duty officer, a member of the Division's operations office cadre, is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to coordinate state resources, and ensure the quickest and most complete assistance is given during actual and potential emergencies. HSEMD duty officers respond to a variety of incidents, ranging from hazardous materials spills to rail accidents, bomb threats, missing persons, and severe weather and tornadoes. For many of the incidents, HSEMD coordinates assistance with local, state, and federal government agencies and the private sector. HSEMD's response activities range from monitoring local incidents to full activation of the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) at the Joint Forces Headquarters in Johnston, Iowa. At the SEOC, the Division and other government and private sector partners coordinate state and local response and recovery efforts. Activations of the SEOC may last only a few hours in a small incident, or may extend for several weeks for large-scale disasters. If the need for resources has exceeded a county's capability to provide them, HSEMD will then request the governor provide a disaster proclamation for the county(s) impacted. State resources may be activated and deployed to assist with the ongoing disaster at no cost to local agencies. State resources include equipment, personnel, technical assistance/guidance, supplies, and essential services to provide assistance in the form of debris removal, traffic control, levee patrol, security, vaccines, transportation, and other emergency response and recovery capabilities. A governor's proclamation may also make assistance available to low income residence in the proclaimed counties. Should the disaster go beyond the capabilities of the State, the governor would then make the decision to request federal assistance and order a joint preliminary damage asessment (PDA). The PDA is conducted by officials from HSEMD, the Iowa Department of Human Services, and FEMA. The findings of the PDA will help to determine the financial impact and estimated costs to recover from the disaster. If the PDA meets declaration criteria, the governor will submit a written request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration. When a Presidential Disaster Declaration is granted, HSEMD works with FEMA and other federal agencies to coordinate and deliver aid to affected Iowans, beginning the recovery process.
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