About Us

Who we are

The Jerome County Board of County Commissioners is authorized and required by Idaho Code § 46-1009 to maintain a county-wide disaster preparedness agency and, for that purpose, has established the Jerome County of Emergency Management (JCOEM). Jerome County Emergency Management works closely with other local, state, and federal agencies to help the community mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from all technological and natural disasters and emergencies in Jerome County. 

THE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Preparing the County for Emergencies

  • County wide Incident Management System: All emergencies within the county are managed in accordance with NIMS/ICS principles.
  • Continuity of Operations Planning (COOP): JCOEM manages the County COOP program, which ensures essential public services are available during/following emergencies.
  • Emergency Planning: JCOEM develops, maintains, and coordinates a comprehensive emergency management plan for Jerome County and all Municipalities within the County.
  • Training and Exercises: JCOEM conducts responder and staff training and exercises to test plans and response capabilities to identify areas of improvement.
  • Incident Monitoring: JCOEM monitors local, regional, national incidents for their impact on the county in order to provide decision makers with vital information and warning.

Coordinating Emergency Response and Recovery

  • Emergency Operations Center (EOC): During major events the EOC is the focal point for information coordination, resource requests, and decision making.
  • Incident Management: JCOEM at the request of Incident Command can provide on-scene command/or assistance, control, and communications.
  • Public Warning: JCOEM coordinates with elected/appointed decision makers, Public Information Officer, and surrounding entities to provide vital warning and information to the public
  • Multi Agency Resource Center (MARC): JCOEM partners with Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) to establish and operate a volunteer management capability supporting large scale incidents where many volunteers are needed to provide mass care (including shelter activations during incidents).
  • Recovery and Relief: Following an emergency, JCOEM works with government agencies, businesses, and non-profit organizations providing assistance and relief to citizens in Jerome County. OEM will participate in the Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) Long Term Recovery Committee.

Educating and Informing the Public

  • Idaho Office of Emergency Management: JCOEM partners in the multi-jurisdictional program to educate and encourage citizens to prepare for and respond to all hazards events.
  • Personal Preparedness Education: JCOEM provides personal preparedness training classes to citizens, employees and responders.
  • Social Media: OEM coordinates the release of information through social media with the Public Information Officer.

JCOEM Functions and Activities

  • Respond to emergencies/disasters within Jerome County.
  • Develop, maintain, and coordinate Emergency Management plans.
  • Conduct/attend all-hazards training and exercises.
  • Monitor emergency/disaster incidents and manage the Emergency Operations Center.
  • On-scene command, control, and communication for emergencies/disasters upon request.
  • Coordinate public information and the dissemination of warnings.
  • Strengthen community education and preparedness with Interagency meetings.
  • Coordinate relief and recovery operations.