What is Emergency Management
Emergency Management is the combined efforts of local, state and federal governments to protect the citizens from the effects of disasters, both natural and manmade. The local Office of Emergency Management works to identify and analyze the hazards that may face Laurens County and develop contingency plans for each hazard. The plans are regularly tested, refined and tested again, all with the goal of protecting or saving lives and property.
The Office of Emergency Management uses a four-phase approach to emergencies: Mitigation, Preparedness, Response and Recovery, which is known collectively as the Emergency Management Cycle
Emergency Management Cycle
Mitigation - Activities which are designed to either prevent the occurrence of an emergency or minimize the potentially adverse effects of an emergency, including zoning/building code ordinances and enforcement of land use regulations.
Preparedness - Activities, programs and systems which exist prior to an emergency and are used to support and enhance response to an emergency or disaster. Public education, planning, training, and exercising are among the activities conducted under this phase.
Response - Activities and programs designed to address the immediate effects of the onset of an emergency or disaster and help to reduce casualties, damage , and to speed recovery. Coordination, Warning, Evacuation, and Mass Care are examples of Response.
Recovery - Activities involving restoring systems to normal. Recovery actions are taken to assess damage and return vital life support systems to minimum operating standards; long term recovery may continue for many years.
Code Red
To help grow our database with the most reliable information, we are strongly encouraging everyone to register on our Code Red Community Notification Enrollment Page (CNE). The secure, customized CNE page allows our residents and businesses to add or update their contact information to ensure they will be included when an emergency, general, or weather message is sent – unlisted numbers, mobile numbers, TD/TTY requirements can all be entered. Below are some advantages of the Weather Notification service provided by Code Red:
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Stay Safe: Code Red Weather Warning will alert registered citizens, in the direct path of severe weather
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Alert Types: Notifications will be sent out moments after a severe thunderstorm warning, tornado warning, or flash flood warning has been issued by the National Weather Services. Only citizens in the immediate impact area will be alerted
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Caller ID: Registered citizens will know the call is from Code Red Weather Warning when you see the telephone number 1-800-566-9780. If you would like to hear the last message delivered to your phone simply dial the number back.
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Privacy: Your contact information will remain private and will only be used for severe weather or emergency alerts.
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Register to get the Call: Users must opt-in to receive weather notifications.
With everyone taking a moment to fill out the CNE, we can ensure the citizens of Laurens County receive timely notifications via multiple platforms (email, cell, landline, text). If you wish to receive these notifications, please click on the logo above:
The Staff
Joey Avery, ENP, SC CEM, Director
Mr. Avery was named Director of the Laurens County Emergency Management Agency on October 2008. Mr. Avery has been the Director of Laurens County 911 since December 16, 1991.