Planning

Hamilton County Emergency Management Agency develops annual reports to highlight the Agency's accomplishments and activities from January through December of each year and to provide a snapshot of the agency's role in building a Disaster Resilient and Resistant Community in Hamilton County. Beginning with our 2022 Annual Report, we want each report to tie in with our 2022-2026 Strategic Plan, a document that defines the goals, objectives, and tasks we set for ourselves for the next five years. If the Strategic Plan is the roadmap for how our Agency plans to accomplish our mission and vision, the Annual Report will provide an opportunity to reflect on the past year of our journey and ensure we are still on the correct path.

2023 Annual Report

2022 Annual Report

2021 Annual Report

In 2016, Hamilton County EMHSA published its first strategic plan, the 2016-2020 Strategic Plan, that set a course of continuous improvement and established the Agency's major programmatic, policy, and performance goals. The creation of that plan contributed to Hamilton County achieving accreditation under the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) in July 2021.

Though slightly delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2022-2026 Strategic Plan picks up where the previous plan left off, by allowing the Agency to define and publicly declare the Goals, Objectives and Tasks that will be undertaken over the next five years in order to achieve the Agency's Mission and Vision that align with its Values.

To access the plan, click here  .

Our Mission

Provide effective coordination and collaboration to create a culture of preparedness that builds and sustains a disaster resistant and resilient community in Hamilton County

Our Vision

A safer future through effective Whole Community partnerships of local government, emergency services, private sector, volunteer agencies, and the residents of Hamilton County to save lives, protect property, and reduce the effects of disasters.

Our Values

Our Values Guide Our Decisions and Actions

Community
We will strive to understand all communities and cultures within Hamilton County. We will engage and empower our residents and partners though inclusive practices that cultivate trust and continued engagement.

Leadership
We will be forerunners in the industry of emergency management and always strive to drive our profession forward. We will influence and guide all entities of Hamilton County during each disaster phase.

Integrity
We will be transparent in our workings with all partners and community members. We will hold ourselves accountable to the highest standard of ethical behavior and organizational excellence and be responsible stewards with all available resources.

Equity
We will work diligently to understand the interrelated elements that systematically affect our communities during all phases of a disaster. We will be impartial and fair in the services we offer and strive for equitable outcomes for all.

Collaboration
We will embrace the Whole Community approach, involving all levels of government and working with stakeholders from the public, private, and non-profit sectors. We will work cohesively and utilize the talents, knowledge, and ingenuity of all our partners.

Professionalism
We will always appear, speak, and interact with others in a professional manner. We will invest in a skilled workforce through constant training and professional development.

Innovation
We will be proactive in seeking opportunities to move the field of emergency management forward. We will always look for new and better ways to improve upon the services we offer to Hamilton County ensuring that we are providing the highest quality products.

The Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) addresses Hamilton County's planned response to extraordinary emergency situations associated with all hazards such as natural disasters, technological emergencies and terrorist attacks. It is the principal guide for mitigating emergencies and disasters; ensuring the protection of health, safety, and property of the public and aiding in recovery operations for the agencies and jurisdictions in the community. It is intended to facilitate multiple-agency and multiple-jurisdictional coordination, particularly among local, state, and federal agencies in emergency management and establish a framework for an effective system of comprehensive emergency management.

In order to execute the EOP effectively and mobilize available resources, all implementing personnel must have knowledge of the procedures set forth in this plan and be trained in its use. Agencies having roles and responsibilities established by the plan are expected to develop Standard Operating Guidelines and Procedures based on the provisions of the plan.

The EOP was developed using generally accepted emergency management principles and practices. Incorporated are planning elements derived from Federal Emergency Management Agency and Ohio Emergency Management Agency planning documents. Modifications to this plan may be made under the direction of the Director of Hamilton County Emergency Management and Homeland Security. Adoption occurs following an established maintenance schedule; however, the plan may be modified in the interim without prior approval and formal adoption.

The EOP is a statement of policy regarding emergency management and assigns tasks and responsibilities to county, city, and village officials, department heads and various agencies and organizations, specifying their roles during, before and after emergency or disaster situations. It is developed pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 5502 and Ohio Revised Code Section 3750, conforms to the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and all applicable Homeland Security Presidential Directives, and is promulgated by the chairperson of the Executive Committee of Hamilton County Emergency Management and Homeland Security representing each of the 49 jurisdictions in the County.

Hamilton County EOP v. 1.9

The EOP can also be downloaded by individual sections:

• Base Plan
• Emergency Support Function #1 – Transportation Infrastructure
• Emergency Support Function #2 – Communications
• Emergency Support Function #3 – Public Works
  • Debris Management Plan
• Emergency Support Function #4 – Fire-EMS
• Emergency Support Function #5 – Information & Planning
  • Damage Assessment Plan
• Emergency Support Function #6 – Mass Care
• Emergency Support Function #7 – Resource Management
  • Donations Management Plan
• Emergency Support Function #8 – Public Health and Healthcare Systems
• Emergency Support Function #9 – Search & Rescue
• Emergency Support Function #10 – Hazardous Materials
• Emergency Support Function #11 – Animals & Agriculture
• Emergency Support Function #12 – Energy
• Emergency Support Function #13 – Law Enforcement
• Emergency Support Function #14 – Private Sector & Infrastructure
• Emergency Support Function #15 – Emergency Public Information

Hamilton County Emergency Management & Homeland Security Agency completed an update of the 2018 Hamilton County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan in August 2023. The 2023 Hamilton County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan is required under the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA2K) and must be updated every five years. The 2023 version meets all requirements of DMA2K.

Click to review the complete final version of the 2023 Hamilton County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan. NOTE: The file size is large and may take a moment to load.

The Hamilton County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan (MHMP or Plan) was developed to guide the County in a risk-based approach to become more resilient to the impacts of natural and technological hazards through mitigation planning. The Plan documents historical disasters, assesses probabilistic disasters through Hazus-MH and GIS analyses, and addresses specific strategies to mitigate the potential impacts of these disasters.

This five-year update was a collaborative effort among the Hamilton County planning team and Integrated Solutions Consulting.

The Hamilton County MHMP:

• Identifies areas of risk and assesses the potential cost and magnitude
• Establishes strategies and priorities to mitigate risk from natural and technological hazards
• Identifies specific mitigation projects to pursue for each identified hazard
• Guides the communities in their risk management activities and minimizes conflicts among agencies
• Establishes eligibility for future mitigation program funds

The 2023 MHMP includes the following key updates:

• Historical hazards: Each hazard section within this plan documents NCDC-reported hazards within the past five years. Where data are available, historical hazards are graphed by decade, showing disaster trends over the past 50 years.
• County profile: Demographics, social, and economic data, as well as existing and future land use descriptions, are updated to reflect the current status of the county and its jurisdictions.
• Planning description: The new planning team and updated planning process are described and documented.
• Risk assessment: The updated risk assessment includes Hazus-MH and GIS analyses that utilize site-specific data from the county. Hazards were identified and expanded to better integrate with the County's THIRA. Each participating jurisdiction provided their own hazard analysis, which describes the hazards and their impacts as they pertain specifically to the community.
• Mitigation: The mitigation section addresses status of previous plan’s strategies in addition to new mitigation goals, objectives, and strategies.

Continuity of Operations (COOP) is an effort within an organization to ensure that its essential functions continue to be performed during a wide range of emergencies until normal operations can be resumed. Today's threat and hazard environment and the potential for no-notice emergencies, including natural hazards, technological hazards, and man-made hazards, have increased the need for robust continuity capabilities and planning across the whole community. Continuity planning not only increases the likelihood that an organization’s essential functions continue, but it also supports that critical services continue to be provided and that applicable core capabilities continue to be delivered. To support this important effort Hamilton County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency provides technical assistance on continuity of operations planning.

For assistance with your planning, please contact:
  - Thomas Johnson, Planning Specialist
   - (513) 263-8247

Continuity of Operations Resources

  Hamilton County Continuity of Operations Overview: This document is meant to provide you with an overview of continuity of operations, describe how Hamilton County Emergency Management & Homeland Security Agency can support you as you develop your COOP Plan, explain how to use the Hamilton County COOP Template and outline the sections of the plan.

  Hamilton County COOP Template: The Hamilton County COOP Template provides you with formatting, language and a framework to create your organization’s continuity of operations plan. The template was designed to include best practices and concepts outlined in national guidance. Additionally, the template was built to streamline the planning process and highlight key components of continuity of operations that need to be addressed at the local level. While main language is present, the plan is meant to be a guide for the local planning team to use throughout the process of plan development.

  Hamilton County COOP Worksheet: This worksheet can be utilized to aid organizations in thinking through the different elements of continuity of operations.

  Hamilton County COOP Workshop Presentation: This presentation was utilized at the Hamilton County COOP Workshop on November 14, 2017. The Workshop gave an overview of COOP and explained how Hamilton County EMHSA can assist departments with their COOP efforts.

Hamilton County is vulnerable to a variety of hazards that threaten its residents, businesses, and environment. The Disaster Recovery Framework establishes a clear path to ensure that the county will be adequately prepared to recover from events caused by these hazards. This Disaster Recovery Framework (Framework) outlines and explains the roles and responsibilities for all participating agencies and organizations. The Framework discusses how coordination occurs pertaining to recovery activities with Federal, State, local government, the private sector and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).

The Framework provides guidance by defining the roles and responsibilities for all participants in order to ensure that they are prepared to begin the recovery process during and immediately following the Response phase; focusing first on short-term recovery and eventual transition to long-term needs. This Framework describes recovery activities in a general sense and provides steps for participants to follow in order to be prepared for disaster recovery and reconstruction.

Depending on the size and severity of the disaster event, the community will have to determine a new "normal" post-disaster. Since recovery activities could take years to complete, there is potential for recovery activities to be ongoing as well as continuously updated based on the event that has occurred.

The complete Disaster Recovery Framework can be found by clicking here.

The preparedness and resiliency of Hamilton County is directly tied to the preparedness and resiliency of the cities, villages, and townships within the County. Strong relationships between the local jurisdictions and the county build a more effective emergency management program. A Handout was created to outline the relationship between Hamilton County Emergency Management Homeland Security Agency and the local jurisdictions. One of the identified elements is that all the local jurisdictions are encouraged to develop an Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) that outlines their local emergency management efforts . To support this crucial effort, the Hamilton County Emergency Management Homeland Security Agency provides technical assistance on emergency planning.

Hamilton County Local EOP Template

A local EOP Template was developed to assist your jurisdiction with creating an EOP. It was designed to help streamline the planning process and provide you with sample language. The template was customized to fit the environment and needs of Hamilton County. The plan is broken down into two main parts: the basic plan and the supporting annexes. The basic plan provides an overview of your approach to emergency response and operations. The annexes focus on the critical operational functions and utilizes the Emergency Support Function (ESF) layout. The county also uses the ESF layout which promotes vertical synchronization across the local jurisdiction and the county. Below is the EOP template and supporting planning documents.

Hamilton County Local EOP Template Overview: This document provides an overview about emergency operations plans, describes how Hamilton County EMHSA can support your planning efforts and explains how to use the Hamilton County EOP Template.

Base Plan and Attachments

Base Plan: The basic plan should provide an overview of your approach to emergency response and operations. It explains the policies, organization, and tasks that should be involved in response to an emergency.

Base Plan Tab #1: This document is a sample Emergency Proclamation.

Base Plan Tab #2: This document includes the table that lists the Threat & Hazard Rankings for Hamilton County.

Annexes

Annex A – The Transportation Function: This annex outlined the transportation function at the local level. The transportation function assesses damage to, restores, and maintains land, air and water transportation routes during emergencies in coordination with governmental and private organizations as required. In addition, this function coordinates available resources for transportation activities including transportation routes and potential staging area. This function also identifies evacuation and reentry routes in coordination with the incident commander.

Annex B – The Communications Function: This annex outlines the communication function at the local level. The communication function assesses damage to communication infrastructure, maintains communication capabilities with response partners, provides technical assistance for communications in the local EOC, and liaises with communication/telecommunication agencies.

Annex C – The Engineering and Public Works Function: This annex outlines the engineering and public works function at the local level. The engineering and public works function supports conducting damage assessments by providing personnel to conduct damage assessment to the private sector and conducting damage assessment to the public sector including local government buildings and certain private nonprofits. Damage Assessments with be coordinated through the local damage assessment coordinator with the recovery function. This function also manages debris removal. This function inspects and repairs or demolishes public structures including dikes, dams and levees.

Annex D – The Fire and EMS Function: This annex outlines the fire and EMS function at the local level. This function maintains an overall picture of fire and emergency medical services activities related to the event for your jurisdictions. Additionally, this function manages and coordinates firefighting activities by mobilizing resources of multiple firefighting agencies. This function will likely be a direct link from the emergency operations center to the incident command post. In addition, this function may offer guidance and technical expertise about firefighting and medical emergency actions.

Annex E – The Information and Planning Function: This annex outlines the information and planning function at the local level. This function collects, processes, and analyzes information related to the disaster event, so it can be disseminated to emergency partners. This information is disseminated through displays, briefings, incident action plans, and situation reports. Additionally, this function uses this information to support the identification of overall priorities for local-level emergency activities.

Annex F – The Mass Care Function: This annex outlines the mass care function at the local level. This function addresses, coordinates, and reports on emergency mass care activities of local-level organizations responsible for sheltering, feeding, counseling, providing first aid, and related social services and welfare activities required to assist the survivors of an emergency. This function identifies unmet needs within the community and maintains the overall picture of mass care activities within the jurisdiction. In addition, this function provides a list of possible shelter locations when requested and coordinates support shelter operations.

Annex G – The Resource Support Function: This annex outlines the resource support function at the local level. This function provides logistical and resource support to local agencies and departments involved in the disaster response and recovery. This support includes locating, procuring, and issuing resources including equipment, supplies, and services required by responders and disaster survivors.

Annex H – The Health and Medical Function: This annex outlines the health and medical function at the local level. This function coordinates with support agencies to address health and medical activities at the local-level and maintain an accurate overview of health and medical activities. Some of the health and medical issues include the assessment of health/medical needs, health surveillance and epidemiological investigation, prevention and control practice, mass prophylaxis/vaccination, health/medical equipment and supplies, patient evacuation, public information, worker health and safety, environmental concerns (e.g. drinking water and waste management), fatality management, and emergency medical services.

Annex I – The Search and Rescue Function: This annex outlines the search and rescue function at the local level. This function coordinates and supports search and rescue operations within your jurisdiction. The fire department will coordinate rescue activities and provide information to the local Emergency Operations Center and Hamilton County ESF#9.

Annex J – The Hazardous Materials Function: This annex outlines the hazardous materials function at the local level. Hazardous Materials response is coordinated at the county level through the Local Emergency Planning Committee. More information about agencies involves, responsibilities and policies is found in the Hamilton County Hazardous Materials and Emergency Operations Plan.

Annex K – The Animals and Agriculture Function: This annex outlines the animals and agriculture function at the local level. This function coordinates information and support for the assessment, response and recovery operations that may impact the animal or farm communities in your jurisdiction. This includes protecting domesticated and wild animal resources, public health, the public food supply and the environment as well as the humane care and treatment of animals in disasters.

Annex L – The Energy Function: This annex outlines the energy function function at the local level. This function coordinates emergency utility services by contacting energy utilities and related governmental and private organizations for information. This information includes the assessment of damage to the utility and response and recovery operations related to fuel shortages, power outages, transmission/distribution problems, and capacity shortages that may impact your jurisdiction during a disaster.

Annex M – The Law Enforcement Function: This annex outlines the law enforcement function function at the local level. This function coordinates law enforcement activities and shares this information with emergency partners. Some law enforcement activities include: maintaining law and order within legal authority, assisting with the dissemination of alerts, warnings and notifications, staffing roadblocks, traffic control points and other sites as required, supporting communications, sharing information with the Emergency Operations Center such as casualty and damage observations, and maintain logs, records and reports essential to government operations.

Annex N – The Disaster Recovery Function: This annex outlines the disaster recovery function function at the local level. This function coordinates needs assessments, damage assessments and information gathering to apply disaster recovery funds and develop disaster-specific recovery plans.

Annex O – The Public Information Function: This annex outlines the public information function at the local level. This function organizes the necessary for the development, distribution and coordination of information to the public in the event of an emergency that requires local assessment, response, and recovery activities.

Schools in Ohio Emergency Management Plan Requirements

ORC 5502.262 requires administrators of each facility in the state of Ohio that provides educational services to children and that is subject to regulation by ODE to develop and adopt a comprehensive Emergency Management Plan. This plan shall consist of the following:

1. Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) - A comprehensive all-hazards plan that takes into account all threats and hazards for a particular school. The plan must stipulate ways the administrator will address those threats and a protocol for responding to those threats.

2. Floor Plan - A floor plan identifies key infrastructure elements of the building, such as classroom locations, emergency exit routes, and locations of fire extinguishers. 

3. Site Plan - Aerial view of the school facility and its surrounding area, which identifies nearby roadways, fire truck routes, and other school property such as athletic fields and gymnasiums. 

4. Emergency Contact Information Sheet - Contains information so first responders can reach administrators and other key people during an emergency. (Revised 5/19/2022)

5. Stakeholders Signature Page - The signature of the school administrator acknowledges they have involved community stakeholders in the development and changes made to the Emergency Management Plan. The signatures of community first responders signify they were provided the opportunity to collaborate (through planning or providing information) on the creation/update of the emergency management plan. The signatures of the program-specific stakeholders signify they were made aware of the content of the emergency management plan by the responsible school administrator. 

The Hamilton County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency requires all schools to submit these five documents (listed above) to our agency via [email protected]. After these documents are submitted to our agency, we will provide each school with an overview of issues our staff have seen that the Ohio School Safety Center has raised in the past for your review prior to submitting your plan to the state. This feedback is provided with the completed signature page. As the state of Ohio reviews the plans based on a grading rubric, the agency does not provide a review of the plan. The agency will, upon request, meet with the schools to discuss any concerns related to the plan or other requirements. 

School plans should be submitted to: [email protected]

For questions: Call (513) 263-8200 or email [email protected]

Guidance and support provided for schools by the state of Ohio can be found at https://ohioschoolsafetycenter.ohio.gov/home.