About
The Maury County Office of Emergency Management is located at 1451 Tom J Hitch Parkway in Columbia, TN. This facility contains the Emergency Operations Center as well as the Emergency Operations Safe Space.
Emergency Operations Center
In times of disaster, the Maury County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) oversees the operation of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). This central hub serves as the command center for significant events and is operated by a diverse team comprising individuals from various agencies. Their collective mission is to collaborate within the framework of the National Incident Management System, working in unison to effectively handle the incident and ensure the safety of Maury County residents through well-coordinated responses.
Emergency Operations Safe Space
The Emergency Operations Safe Space offers temporary shelter during tornadoes and inclement weather, but it is not intended for overnight sleeping accommodations. It provides immediate safety and refuge during severe weather events, ensuring people have a secure place to wait out the storm.
What is "Emergency Management"?
Emergency management is the organized process of preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters and emergencies. It encompasses activities like risk assessment, planning, and resource allocation to minimize harm, ensure public safety, and expedite recovery, ultimately enhancing community resilience.
The Maury County OEM plays a pivotal role in helping find missing or at-risk individuals, managing hazardous materials incidents, addressing severe weather incidents, organizing special events, and supporting the response and recovery of emergency situations or other disaster events. Their specialized equipment and well-trained personnel are indispensable during disaster scenarios.
Maury County OEM envisions a community well-prepared for emergencies, where everyone, from individuals to government entities and private organizations, is informed and capable of planning for, responding to, and recovering from disasters.
What does it mean to be "Storm Ready"?
According to the National Weather Service: "StormReady uses a grassroots approach to help communities develop plans to handle all types of extreme weather—from tornadoes to winter storms. The program encourages communities to take a new, proactive approach to improving local hazardous weather operations by providing emergency managers with clear-cut guidelines on how to improve their hazardous weather operations." The Maury County Office of Emergency Management is a Storm Ready organization.
What is a "Weather Ready Nation Ambassador"?
The Maury County Office of Emergency Management works in collaboration with the National Weather Service to reduce the risk of being adversely impacted by extreme weather and water events and increase community resilience for future extreme events
Partnerships
The OEM's ability to ensure community preparedness and disaster response is greatly enhanced through collaborative partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies, volunteer organizations, and other partners, enabling resource sharing, information exchange, and mutual collaboration. These partnerships are essential for building a resilient and well-prepared community.
How does Maury County OEM relate to TEMA and FEMA?
In the state of Tennessee, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) holds the primary responsibility for coordinating the statewide response to disasters, while the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) takes the lead at the federal level. Both TEMA and FEMA offer financial assistance, resources, and logistical support to local county-level emergency management agencies during disaster events, as well as for initiatives related to preparedness and risk reduction.