Emergency Management Division
Mission
The Emergency Management Division establishes and disseminates policy and coordinates the development of bureau and office programs for an integrated and comprehensive program which spans the continuum of prevention, planning, response, and recovery. The program encompasses all types of hazards and emergencies that impact Federal lands, facilities, infrastructure, and resources; Tribal lands and Insular Areas; the ability of the Department to execute essential functions; and for which assistance is provided to other units of government under Federal laws, Executive Orders, interagency emergency response plans such as the National Response Plan, and other agreements.
Organization
The Emergency Management Division is supervised by the Departmental Emergency Coordinator, who is an Assistant Director within the Office of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Management. The division is composed of two branches:
- Preparedness and Response Branch
- Continuity of Operations Branch.
The Department has also established two coordinating activities to integrate and coordinate emergency planning and response activities across the Department:
- Emergency Management Council. Council members include Emergency Coordinators designated by various bureaus and offices to advise the Departmental Emergency Coordinator and to coordinate Department-wide emergency management policy and activities.
- Interior Regional Emergency Coordination Councils. I-RECC members are designated from each bureau and office with capabilities or program equities within a geographic region, and provide a mechanism to coordinate with each regional offices of Federal Emergency Management Agency and other Federal departments and agencies.
Departmental Emergency Coordinator
Contact: 202-208-3721
The Departmental Emergency Coordinator and is the principal official responsible for:
- Coordinating Departmental emergency management activities,
- Developing emergency management policy consistent with Federal emergency management laws, regulation, guidance, and direction.
- Coordinating activities undertaken by the Departmental bureaus and offices during serious emergency incidents.
- Serving as principal point of contact with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and other departments and agencies as pertaining to overall emergency management, continuity of operations, and national security emergency programs.
- Providing oversight of office and bureau emergency management programs and plans to assure policy compliance, readiness, and effectiveness.
- Issuing appropriate policy bulletins to provide updated policy and direction on the Departmental Emergency Management program.
Preparedness and Response Branch
Branch Chief: 202-208-5417
- Develops policies and procedures for prevention, planning, response, and recovery for all types of hazards and emergencies that impact Departmental lands and facilities, including Tribal lands and Insular Areas.
- Manages Departmental activities related to implementation of Homeland Security Presidential Directive-5, Management of Domestic Incidents, and implementation of the National Incident Management System.
- Assures effective planning and execution of Departmental responsibilities under the National Response Plan, and coordinates the activities of bureaus and offices assigned specific responsibilities under the plan.
Continuity of Operations Branch
Branch Chief: 202-208-3052
- Manages planning and preparedness to ensure the performance of Departmental essential functions during incidents which disrupt normal operations.
- Develops policy and procedures and provides oversight of continuity planning efforts in bureaus and offices.
- Provides testing, training and evaluation for continuity plans.
- Supports readiness activities for Departmental support to meet essential defense and civilian needs during any national security emergency