Emergency Management

Housed within the Mansfield Fire Department, the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is responsible for coordinating the emergency management program for the City of Mansfield. Its program goals are to plan for and maintain the public peace, health and safety during an emergency.

The old joke about Texas weather is as much truth as it is humor. Always be aware of approaching weather systems. Updated information can be obtained from TV, radio and the Mansfield Emergency Alert System.

Core Services

The City is exposed to many hazards - both natural and man made - which have the potential for disrupting the community, causing damage and creating casualties. To address these potential threats, the OEM publishes the city's emergency management plan. This plan provides the framework upon which the City of Mansfield prepares for, responds to and performs its emergency response functions during disasters or national emergencies. The plan is based on the four phases of emergency management which are the following.

Mitigation

In emergency management, mitigation is synonymous with prevention. The intent of mitigation activities is to prevent or minimize the effects of an emergency. Communities undertake mitigation actively through zoning and planning and land use development and regulation. Mitigation allows a community to assume a given risk - such as flooding - and take necessary precautions prior to an event to limit damage and exposure.

Preparedness

Preparedness refers to the advance actions that help communities support and enhance response to an emergency or disaster. Such prior planning and action can greatly reduce property damage and, more importantly, save lives. Examples of preparedness activities include training, education, planning, and emergency exercises.

Response

Response is comprised of those activities that take place at the onset of an emergency or disaster. The intent is to assess and address the effects of the event. During this phase, the main goals are to limit property damage and loss and, most importantly, protect and save lives. Response consists of communication, coordination, and care.

Recovery

Emergency Management refers to recovery as those efforts immediately following an emergency or disaster to return vital systems to a community. Recovery can be short-term such as reviving communication systems, transportation routes, power and water supply. It can also include long-term activities such as rebuilding neighborhoods and establishing flood drainage systems.