The Hatfield Township Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is comprised of personnel from the Safety and Code Enforcement Department, Police Department, Emergency Medical Services, Fire / Rescue Services, and Administrative Staff.
The OEM coordinates emergency management and homeland security programs for Hatfield Township. Working in close partnership with public safety and public health agencies, the OEM plans and prepares for emergencies, educates the public about preparedness, conducts training exercises and drills, and performs other services to support the Township's overall preparedness. The OEM follows an all-hazards approach, preparing for emergencies of different types - whether they be natural or man-made.
Emergency management responsibilities at the local government level include:
- Identifying hazards and assessing their potential risk to the community;
- Determining the community's capability to mitigate against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from major emergencies;
- Identifying and employing methods to improve the community's emergency management capability through efficient use of resources, improved coordination, and cooperation with other communities and with the State and Federal governments;
- Managing the Emergency Operation Center;
- Establishing mitigation measures such as building codes, zoning ordinances, or land-use management programs;
- Developing and coordinating preparedness plans.
- Establishing warning systems;
- Stocking emergency supplies and equipment;
- Educating the public and training emergency personnel;
- Assessing damage caused by the emergency;
- Activating response plans and rescue operations;
- Ensuring that shelter and medical assistance are provided;
- Recovering from the emergency and helping citizens return to normal life as soon as possible.
The Emergency Management staff also provides Continuity of Operations Planning (COOP) assistance to the business community with emergency plan development and staff training.
The OEM is always looking for township businesses willing to assist in emergency response and recovery. This assistance would be in the form of equipment, supplies, and personnel made available as needed. Some examples would be lumber for emergency shoring of weakened structures or excavations, generators and lighting, backhoes, dump trucks and other heavy construction equipment with operators.
Volunteers are also needed to assist with operations within the Emergency Operations Center and in the field. Professionals such as engineers and building contractors, as well as residents with special skills or equipment, are multi-lingual, or military/first responder backgrounds are all needed.
Hatfield Township Emergency Management - Emergency Operations Plan - Basic Emergency Operations Plan
Hatfield Township Emergency Management - Emergency Operations Plan - Terms, Acronyms and Links