About the Department

The City of Plano Department of Emergency Management (DEM) provides an all-hazards approach to emergency management and homeland security services for the City of Plano.  The major areas of focus include emergency management and homeland security planning and policy; emergency management and homeland security grant administration; the citywide emergency training and exercise program; public preparedness and education; and enhancement of City response and recovery capabilities.  The City of Plano DEM is committed to preparing for, responding to, recovering from, mitigating, and preventing threats posed to the City of Plano.  These threats include natural disasters, man-made disasters (including terrorism), and technological disasters.  The City of Plano DEM coordinates emergency management and homeland security activities with all City of Plano agencies, as well as the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG), Collin County, private organizations, faith-based organizations, volunteer organizations, and other local, state, and federal agencies.

The City of Plano DEM provides leadership, vision, direction, and subject matter expertise in the field of emergency management and homeland security in order to heighten the City’s readiness to respond to and recover from major emergencies and disasters.  In the event of a major emergency or disaster affecting the City of Plano, the City of Plano DEM will activate and manage the City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC).  The EOC becomes the command and coordination point for all City emergency management activities.  Furthermore, the City of Plano DEM serves as the coordination point for federal disaster assistance, City of Plano recovery efforts, and prevention / mitigation programs to reduce the effects of future disasters.  In addition, the City of Plano DEM serves as the liaison to City, County, regional, state, federal, volunteer, faith-based, and private partners in order to prepare for, effectively respond to, and efficiently recover from significant emergency and disaster events.  These partnerships are enhanced through mutual aid agreements, memorandum of understanding, and inter-local agreements.

The City of Plano DEM develops and maintains the City’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP), and directs emergency management planning for the entire City.  The CEMP guides strategic organizational behavior before, during, and after a significant emergency or disaster in the City of Plano.  This document serves as the foundational guide for City emergency and disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation efforts.  In addition, the City of Plano DEM coordinates emergency training, simulations, and exercises necessary to prepare City staff and partnering agencies to carry out their roles in the City of Plano CEMP.