Harrison County Office of Emergency Management Laura Pysz - Director

Background Director of Harrison County’s Office of Emergency Management Previous – City of Bridgeport’s Director of Emergency Managemen Worked in Greenbrier County’s Emergency Operations Center for 30+ days during one of the worst disasters in the states history during FLOOD 2016 2017 WV Emergency Manager of the Year - State Award 2018 Walter J Bennett “Public Service Award” - National Award

Emergency management protects communities by coordinating and integrating all activities necessary to build, sustain, and improve the capability to mitigate against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from threatened or actual natural disasters, acts of terrorism, or other man-made disasters. Emergency management was institutionalized in 1979 with the creation of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Five Federal agencies that dealt with many types of emergencies consolidated to form FEMA. Since that time, many State and local organizations have changed the names of their organizations to include the words: emergency management. The Bridgeport Emergency Services Council was established on October 24th 2002, in compliance with West Virginia Code, Chapter 15, Article 5, Emergency Services. Bridgeport's Emergency Services Council operates under the advice and guidance of the Bridgeport City Council. The Emergency Services Council is a volunteer, non-profit group of residents experienced in emergency and disaster operations. In March of 2012 the Bridgeport Emergency Services Department was established and hired a full-time Director to head-up the City’s emergency management programs. http://www.dhsem.wv.gov/resources/Pages/WVCodeChapter15-5.aspx §15-5-8. Local organization for emergency services.  “Each political subdivision of this state is hereby authorized and directed to establish a local organization for emergency services in accordance with the state plan and program for the provision of emergency services. Such political subdivision may confer or authorize the conferring upon members of the auxiliary police the powers of peace officers, subject to such restrictions as it may impose.”

What makes a disaster an emergency An emergency is a situation that poses an immediate risk to health, life, property, or environment. Most emergencies require urgent intervention to prevent a worsening of the situation, although in some situations, mitigation may not be possible and agencies may only be able to offer palliative care for the aftermath.

It’s not if but when

What can you do before hand??

The Emergency Services EMS Public Works CERT Non-Governmental 911 Elected Officials Volunteer Orgs Recovery Groups

During the disaster Constant Briefings Social Media Rumor Control Financial Politics Beware of SCAMS Looting Documentation

Thank you!!

Office of Emergency Management Laura Pysz Office of Emergency Management 735 Gensis BLVD Bridgeport, WV 26330 lpysz@harrisoncountywv.gov (304) 423-7950 (304) 623-6558 Fax