Word of the Week is: CEMP

Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan Comprehensive emergency management is defined as the preparation for and the carrying out of all emergency functions necessary to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies and disasters caused by all hazards, whether natural, technological, or human-caused. Source: https://www.usf.edu/administrative-services/emergency-management/planning/cemp.aspx All Government agencies, municipalities, and major corporations have a CEMP. The CEMP can be built from the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) The Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) process help communities understand the normal set of risks it faces. By identifying and prioritizing those threats, a community can then make smarter decisions. Leaders need to manage the risks through Appropriate planning Mitigation strategies Developing needed capabilities Source: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/hsem/homeland-security/Pages/threat-hazard-risk-assess.aspx The THIRA is Federally Mandated by Presidential Policy Directive 8, for grantees who receive Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) and Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) awards. Both documents the CEMP and THIRA are public records, and you can get a copy through your County Office of Emergency Management. Keep in mind you might face some hesitation from the person you are speaking with. These are not normally asked for by the public. I was once denied a copy of my county CEMP. The operator cited national security as the reason it will not be disseminated. I stepped up to her boss and got a copy. Till next time “Be Safe”