Understanding the Role of Local Emergency Management

   While many people recognize the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), fewer are aware that similar capabilities exist locally. In Iowa, every county is required by law to provide emergency management services. In less populous counties, a single paid professional often fulfills this role, while larger counties may have additional support staff. These local emergency management agencies (EMAs) provide tailored services to meet community needs.

   By law, emergency management is involved in both local and state disaster declarations, helping ensure a connected network of resources. Think of emergency management as the central hub during an incident, working alongside Unified or Incident Command, with resource connections as spokes to that hub.

   For fire service professionals, this relationship is particularly crucial. Emergency management offers expertise in the Incident Command System (ICS) and resource management, among others, acting as a “force multiplier” to link departments with the support they need—whether that’s equipment, personnel, or technical expertise.

Local EMAs operate under two primary modes:

   Building Local Capabilities – EMAs help cities, counties, and departments strengthen their own internal disaster management abilities.

   Providing Direct Support – When emergencies occur, EMAs provide expertise and resources to assist local jurisdictions in response efforts.

Resource Management:

   One of emergency management’s key responsibilities is resource management. EMAs ensure that the right local resources are used for each incident. If a fire department needs specialized resources, they can contact their local emergency manager. The EMA will coordinate with local, regional, or state partners via an interim mutual aid agreement called the Iowa Mutual Aid Compact (IMAC) to source what’s needed.

   When local resources are insufficient, EMAs can escalate requests to Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management, potentially involving state, military, or federal assets. Emergency managers have advanced knowledge of available resources and work within legal protocols to facilitate their use.

Daily Operations:

   While emergency management is often associated with disaster response, much of their work happens behind the scenes. EMAs collaborate with partners year-round to prepare for, mitigate, respond to, and recover from various emergencies. These efforts extend beyond severe weather and include all types of incidents. Building strong relationships is central to their work, ensuring that when emergencies occur, everyone is ready to respond effectively.

Get Connected: 

   Emergency managers are eager to collaborate with local fire departments and other agencies. To learn more about how they can support your work, reach out to your local coordinator by scanning the QR code and accessing the Coordinator Contact List below.

   AJ Seely has been the Dallas County Emergency Management Director since 2018 and previously served as the Emergency Management and 911 Director in Chickasaw County. He has led responses to eight federally declared disasters while earning multiple emergency management certifications and recognitions.