EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Emergency Management Prevention/Mitigation Preparedness Response Recovery

“Public works personnel are the first and last on-scene – first with barricades and portable lights and last with heavy equipment to remove debris.” -Oklahoma City Public Works Director -Paul Brum

The Role of the Emergency Management Committee of the American Public Works Association

The Committee’s Goal #1 APWA will be the members’ primary gateway resource for education, knowledge exchange and services.

The Strategy

Identify and develop three guaranteed sessions for APWA Congress.

Prepare and submit 5 – 7 articles for the Emergency Management issue of the APWA Reporter. Develop an EM Committee PowerPoint for APWA chapters. Conduct one Click, Listen & Learn (preparing agencies for NIMS implementation)

Provide guidance on the development of publications pertinent to the field of emergency management by APWA

The Committee’s Goal #2 APWA will be acknowledged as the public policy advocate for the public infrastructure.

The Strategy Develop a ‘public works awareness’ policy paper. Ensure public works participation in HSPD-7 (infrastructure) work groups throughout the year. Explore the development of a public works disaster reserve corporation and provide a recommendation.

The Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program: The Role of Public Works in Preventing & Planning for Disaster Statement of Brian Usher Director of Public Works City of Zion, Illinois On behalf of the American Public Works Association To the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management September 24, 2003

Review all policy / guidance statements for relevance and timeliness by the Combined Meeting.

The Committee's Goal #3 APWA will be recognized as the brand name for credible information on public works.

The Strategy Develop a new publication topic and task force. Review and update EM content at Explore cooperative opportunities with NACo and NEMA; provide recommendation. Present a public works session at one national conference.

How does the Committee impact your local chapter? Any way you want them to do so!

By monitoring the infoNOW community, committee members assist in directing members to good resources in response to requests for information or assistance in emergency management issues.

By providing quarterly electronic listings to articles or publications on emergency management topics which may be of value to our members.

The Committee is responsible for periodically developing or amending position papers on emergency management issues.

The Committee is working with the APWA staff to develop a public works emergency management planning guidance document and other training initiatives. If you have any good ideas we would appreciate your input.

How can I serve on this National Committee? A call for nominations is announced on the APWA web site, and through the APWA Reporter in late winter or early spring each year.

Nomination of any APWA member can be made by: Self-nomination Nomination from a Chapter Nomination from another APWA member Nomination by an APWA Board member or Delegate

What is required for participation? Experience in dealing with Emergency Management Ability to participate via a one-hour monthly conference call Ability to participate in person at APWA Congress Ability to participate at the Spring Combined Technical Committee meeting Willingness to write articles and provide program ideas and sessions for Congress

Is it necessary to be in an emergency management agency? NO

Current membership is composed of a Director of Plan Management, an Assistant Public Works Director, a Director of PW and Engineering, and two former PWD who are now Vice Presidents for consulting firms

How can I know what the committee is currently doing?

Check out the Emergency Management pages on under Technical Committees.

Meeting Summaries are available from each month’s conference call

Fact sheets and other resource information are available to download for your personal use.

A Committee roster, complete with contact information, is available to assist you in offering your comments or ideas.