About Emergency Management

Emergency Management

Disasters can strike at any time, have no warning, and come in many different forms. McKinney's Office of Emergency Management supports and protects the citizens of McKinney by improving our capability to prepare for, respond to, recover from and mitigate against the hazards we face. The four phases of emergency management help guide us in this mission.

Four Phases

The four phases of Emergency Management are part of a cycle, but the phases can take place simultaneously. There is no set order, but the general pattern is mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.

• Mitigation – includes activities that prevent or reduce disaster impacts and eliminate risk. It is the starting point for emergency management, but it may be part of the other three phases.
• Preparedness – focuses plans for effective disaster response. It is a continuous cycle of planning, organizing, training, exercising, evaluating for effectiveness to prevent, protect against, respond to, recover from and mitigate the effects of disasters.
• Response – is the immediate reaction to a disaster and may occur before a disaster and after it begins. Response includes mobilization of emergency services, first responders, CERT teams and activation of the Emergency Operations Center when necessary.
• Recovery – continues beyond the emergency period. It focuses on restoring critical community functions to normal and managing reconstruction. Rebuilding efforts include mitigation practices to reduce risk for the future.

Principles of Emergency Management

The eight principles of emergency management help the Office of Emergency Management promote a less vulnerable and more capable city. These principles were developed by the International Association of Emergency Managers. Emergency management must be:

• Comprehensive – Take into account all hazards, phases, stakeholders and impacts relevant to disasters.
• Progressive – Anticipate future disasters and take preventative and preparatory measures to build disaster-resistant and -resilient communities.
• Risk-driven– Use sound risk management principles (hazard identification, risk analysis and impact analysis) in assigning priorities and resources.
• Integrated – Ensure unity of effort among all levels of government and all elements of a community.
• Collaborative – Create and sustain broad and sincere relationships among individuals and organizations to encourage trust, advocate a team atmosphere, build consensus and facilitate communication.
• Coordinated – Synchronize the activities of all relevant stakeholders to achieve a common purpose.
• Flexible – Use creative and innovative approaches in solving disaster challenges.
• Professional – Value a science and knowledge-based approach based on education, training, experience, ethical practice, public stewardship and continuous improvement.