A new program created by the Portage County Emergency Management Agency (PC EMA) guides communities, local governments and organizations to earn certification in emergency preparedness for meeting the challenges of disasters close to home.
Called the Portage Preparedness Initiative (PPI), the free program provides step-by-step guidance for meeting specific criteria, some of which local entities may already be managing for their organizations, such as emergency planning, operations and hazard mitigation.
“In the world of emergency preparedness, the PC EMA is a firm believer that preparedness starts at the local level and is the foundation for our communities and their ability to be resilient during a disaster. The Portage Preparedness Initiative was developed to showcase the communities and organizations that go above and beyond in their local emergency preparedness,” announced Ryan Shackelford, PC EMA director.
Those interested in applying can visit the PC EMA website at https://www.portagecounty-oh.gov/emergency-management-agency for a copy of the application and the applicant’s guide. Additional copies of the application and/or applicant’s guide may be requested via email to pcema@portageco.com.
McKenzie Villatoro, emergency management specialist for PC EMA, explained that the initiative has been developed to assist municipal governments and organizations in understanding and preparing for their role in disaster response and recovery.
Participation in the initiative is voluntary and is open to any community or organization in Portage County regardless of the number of citizens, residents, students or employees. The standards are designed to be adaptable and scalable so that any applicant can participate.
“During a significant event, like the recent Windham tornado, the primary responsibility for responding to and managing emergencies begins and ends at the local level. There is support from county, state, and federal agencies which is critical, but it is the local community that is in it for the duration, especially the recovery phase, and this certification would provide a foundation for building back,” Villatoro shared.
She went on to clarify that local entities must meet 24 out of 32 standards which are defined in a guide developed by PC EMA and that address the five mission areas of the National Preparedness Goal (NPG): prevention, protection, mitigation, response and recovery.
An agency staff person is available to assist organizations in being successful with the process.
The 32 standards are organized in the following categories: Communications, Public Information and Warning; Facilities; Hazard Identification; Hazard Mitigation; Operations; Planning; Prevention; Program Administration; Resource Management; and Training and Exercises.
In some cases, applicants will already be performing the required tasks but may not have formal documentation of the process or agreements. To become certified, applicants will need to develop the required documentation in a written format, Villatoro pointed out.
She estimated that the process will take about 3 months from application to final review. The certification is renewed every five years.
For more information, call Villatoro at 330-297-3607 or email her at mvillatoro@portageco.com.
