Many may recall the days of Civil Defense and the Cold War. The most effective method in which we accomplish this is by empowering local communities to be more prepared by providing the highest quality programs, guidance, and technical assistance. With this in mind, our web site has proven to be one of the most effective means we have to provide our stakeholders with important resources including emergency planning and training, publications, news and information, and links to other sites. The profession of emergency management has undergone an incredible transformation over the last decade. There is a greater emphasis on training and professionalism.
Emergency management is at the forefront more than at any other time is our existence.
Terrorism and weapons of mass destruction continue to threaten our communities requiring the federal, state and local government to work closer together than ever before. EMD will continue efforts to be a national leader in this area, spearheading the effort to provide the best possible training and resources to those who are responsible for managing these situations. Perhaps the most important development in the field of emergency management is the emergence of hazard mitigation as a primary focus. It is clear that preventing or minimizing the impact of future disasters is the direction of the future. In Michigan, Governor John Engler's establishment of a State Hazard Mitigation Council that will oversee our efforts to implement effective mitigation strategies in our state, sends a clear message of the importance of this issue.