Director: Matthew Cain
Deputy Director: Jon Duke
Administrative Assistant: Danielle Moore
Phone: (765) 973-9399
FAX: (765) 973-9360
E-Mail: ema@co.wayne.in.us
| OUR MISSION | OUR MOTTO |
|---|---|
|
To Save Lives, Protect Property and the Environment in Our Wayne County Community. |
Training to Serve
Planning to Protect Acting to Save |
Emergency Management is a community wide effort to incorporate available government, private and civic resources and to coordinate their application to mitigating against, preparing for, responding to and recovering from significant emergencies and disasters that can impact our county wide community.
Emergencies and disasters impact local citizens and community systems first and the most effective response is primarily performed by local emergency services and support organizations. Truly neighbors helping neighbors in time of need.
The Wayne County Emergency Management Agency is the unit of county government established under state law and county ordinance responsible for coordinating the efforts of these services and organizations through comprehensive "all hazard" planning, effective training and realist exercises.
Text to 9-1-1
Text-to-9-1-1 has been available in Wayne County since 2014, providing residents with an alternative way to reach emergency services when calling is not possible or safe. This service is especially valuable for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-impaired, as well as in situations where speaking aloud could put the caller at risk, such as during a home invasion or domestic violence incident. While texting 9-1-1 can be a lifesaving option, callers should remember to provide their location and the nature of the emergency in their initial message, as texts do not automatically transmit location data like voice calls. Emergency responders will reply with instructions, but if texting is not necessary, calling remains the fastest way to get help. "B4U TXT 9-1-1, Voice is Best."
Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)
The Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) is a critical organization dedicated to ensuring communities are prepared for hazardous materials incidents. Established under federal law, the LEPC is responsible for developing and maintaining emergency response plans that address the storage, use, and accidental release of hazardous chemicals. The committee is composed of representatives from emergency management, public safety agencies, local government, industry, healthcare, environmental organizations, and the public. This diverse membership allows the LEPC to facilitate strong coordination between key stakeholders, ensuring that emergency responders have the necessary information, training, and resources to effectively manage hazardous materials incidents.
In addition to emergency planning, the LEPC plays a key role in public education and community engagement. The committee works to increase awareness of chemical hazards, conducts training exercises to enhance preparedness, and collaborates with industries to improve safety measures. LEPC meetings provide a forum for discussing hazardous material risks and response strategies, helping local agencies stay informed about potential threats. By fostering open communication and collaboration, the LEPC enhances the community’s ability to prevent, respond to, and recover from hazardous materials emergencies, ultimately protecting residents, businesses, and the environment.
Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) and the Community's Right-to-Know
Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA), commonly known as the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), was enacted in 1986 in response to growing concerns about hazardous chemical storage and industrial accidents. This legislation requires facilities that manufacture, store, or use hazardous chemicals to report their inventories to local, state, and federal authorities. These reports enable emergency planners and first responders to prepare for potential chemical emergencies and implement safety measures to minimize risks to public health and the environment. Additionally, EPCRA mandates that local governments establish emergency response plans, ensuring that communities have structured procedures in place to address chemical spills, leaks, and other hazardous incidents.
A fundamental aspect of EPCRA is the "Community Right-to-Know" provision, which empowers residents by granting them access to information about hazardous chemicals in their neighborhoods. This transparency allows citizens to stay informed about potential risks and advocate for stronger safety measures when necessary. Businesses and industries are also encouraged to improve their chemical management practices, reducing the likelihood of accidents. By fostering open communication between industries, emergency responders, and the public, EPCRA enhances community preparedness and resilience, ensuring that both responders and residents can take proactive steps to safeguard lives, property, and the environment.
Supporting Partners
Our supporting partners provide the hard work of making our Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan effective. When emergencies or disasters occur, they are the ones "out there" treating the injured, keeping law and order, putting out the fires, containing the spilled chemical, getting the electric power restored, operating the shelters for displaced persons, opening up the roads, clearing away the debris and a host of other things that must be done. We are proud of our fire fighters, law enforcement officers, EMS providers, hospital staff, local utility services, local businesses, churches, school districts, colleges, and civic and community organizations that take their emergency management responsibilities seriously and serve our community so well.