Emergency Management

EMA Functions

DEMC is responsible for coordinating the city of East Chicago’s preparedness for and response to emergency situations, seeking homeland security grants and coordinating educational programs.  DEMC develops policies and procedures governing emergency responders’ actions during incidents involving man made weapons of mass destruction or natural incidents, so that they can interact with other partners to effectively and efficiently respond to emergencies.

DEMC is also East Chicago’s liaison with the United States Department of Homeland Security, the Indiana Office of Homeland Security, as well as county, state, and federal emergency management agencies.

Emergency Operations Center (EOC)

During a major incident, whether man-made (WMD) or natural, the Department of Emergency Management will activate the EOC (Emergency Operations Center), to coordinate support functions and provide resource support.  The Director will assemble the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) Coordination Group in the EOC, which includes the Mayor and Directors of all public safety agencies          

As the incident develops and assistance beyond the local level is required, the EMA and/or EOC will coordinate requests outside the local jurisdiction for regional, state, and/or federal assets.

The EOC:

  • Provides a path to elected officials and may be activated to receive and coordinate regional, state and federal aid
  • Coordinates public information from the IC/UC and EOC
    Activates emergency operations plans
  • Provides for prompt notification of local and state agencies
  • Allows use of emergency powers, such as curfews and evacuations
  • Allows smooth mobilization and deployment of resources and support staff

The DEMC works with local jurisdiction first responders (fire, EMS, police, health, etc.) as well as county, state, and federal agencies to provide resources and expertise in four major areas:

  • Mitigation
  • Preparedness
  • Response
  • Recovery

Mitigation involves preventative measures that will decrease or eliminate the potential of a specific city asset becoming a target, as well as decrease or eliminate the effects of an attack or disaster, should one occur.

Preparedness includes training and exercises, creating disaster supply kits, procuring adequate emergency equipment, and employing weather forecasting and early warning systems.  The DEMC maintains an asset inventory and emergency operations plan for the City of East Chicago.  All city departments must maintain a copy of the Emergency Operations Plan and notification protocols.  The DEMC plans and holds training exercises with city departments and outside agencies and in addition is available to make presentations to civic and business groups on emergency preparedness.

Response is the first phase of emergency management that occurs after the onset of a disaster.  When our local first responders (fire, police, EMS, etc.) require assistance in responding to a major crisis, they call the DEMC and request that the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) be activated.  The EOC is activated to coordinate the response efforts of all local and outside agencies as effectively and quickly as possible to provide for the continuity of services to the public and to provide status reports to the Mayor on existing conditions.

Recovery involves measures that are taken to return to a normal or safer situation following an emergency or disaster.

911 Communications Center

The 911 Communications Center is manned by sixteen (16) communication dispatchers including four (4) crew leaders.  There are four (4) crew shifts consisting of four (4) dispatchers in each shift.  Dispatchers handle all police, fire, and emergency medical services (EMS) call taking and dispatch operations.  The 911 Communications Center is under the supervision of police Sgt. Jorge Almedina.

Responsibilities of the Director of EMA

  • Activate and command the EOC during major incidents
  • Coordinate educational training programs for first responders
  • Attend local emergency planning council meetings
  • Seek Homeland Security as well as other equipment and educational grants
  • Conduct vulnerabilities and threat assessment of the city’s public assets
  • Continuously research and work with other local government and emergency management agencies, regarding emergency preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery practices
  • Seek out local, state and federal funding opportunities for the city’s preparedness and response measures
  • Maintain Emergency Response plans for East Chicago’s hospital, commercial and/or industrial businesses
  • Help to develop and maintain mutual aid agreements and/or memorandums of understanding between East Chicago and other surrounding communities within and outside of Lake County
  • Effectively manage and share information which enhances incident management and response with local jurisdiction first responders (i.e. fire, police, EMS, and public health)
  • Effectively coordinate training of all local jurisdiction first responders in using processes and systems described in the NIMS (National Incident Management System)
  • Will assemble EOP coordination group during major incidents
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