Pasco County Emergency Management

Pasco County’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) coordinates the County’s preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation for emergencies such as floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, severe weather, hazardous materials incidents, homeland security issues, terrorism, and mass casualty incidents.

OEM is the lead agency for coordinating hazardous materials response in Pasco County and also serves as the lead agency for Homeland Security coordination and initiatives, including grant management and adoption of the National Incident Management System (NIMS). Emergency Management Focus Areas Coordinating the development of continuity of operations (COOP) and continuity of government (COG) plans are also OEM responsibilities.

The Department manages the Special Needs and Assistance Population Program (SNAPP) and conducts annual plan reviews of over 100 medical facility disaster plans. Preparation and implementation of the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), maintenance of the Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) and the project list, plus review of new developments for mitigation opportunities are ongoing initiatives. Public information and education programs including expos, speaking engagements, creation and distribution of written materials, and emergency public information activities are areas of focus.

Elimination of the shelter deficit, including shelter surveys, shelter retrofits, and new facility construction with enhanced hurricane protected areas are included in departmental goals.