E&E Emergency Management Services
The mission of Emergency Management Services is to coordinate activities and provide support for emergency response, incident management, technical and safety trainings, planning and preparedness, and continuity of operations for all E&E entities and personnel.
E&E Emergency Management Services oversees a variety of activities related to preparedness for and response to both internal and external disruptive events. While there is overlap in responsibilities and activities, the branch has five major focuses:
Emergency Response
Large quantities of oil and hazardous materials are transported via highway, rail, air, pipeline, and waterway across Arkansas on a daily basis. Hazardous materials are also manufactured, stored, distributed, and disposed of at numerous fixed facilities throughout the state. Releases of oil and hazardous materials have the potential to create issues not only for the environment, but also for human health and safety. E&E plays an important role when it comes to environmental releases of these substances by providing state and federally coordinated support in response to transportation incidents, fixed facility incidents, natural disasters, or intentional/terrorist acts that pose a threat to human health, property, or the environment.
Clandestine Lab Cleanup (Meth Lab)
E&E Emergency Management Services houses the Clandestine Lab Cleanup (Meth Lab) program authorized by Act 864 of 2007. This program addresses the cleanup of properties contaminated by the illegal manufacture of controlled substances, or clandestine laboratories, more commonly known as meth labs. The Department manages a database of contaminated properties and certifies cleanup contractors. For more information, see the Clandestine Lab Cleanup links to the left.
Safety Training
E&E employees need specific training to help them stay safe on the job and assist in incident responses. E&E Emergency Management Services staff facilitates and tracks these trainings, including National Incident Management System (NIMS) courses, Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) initial and refresher trainings, First Aid/CPR/AED, and other safety/preparedness classes as requested by Department entities.
Continuity
A Continuity of Operations (COOP) plan assists in continuing Departmental activities and operations during a disruption of normal functions. E&E Emergency Management Services is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining the Department’s COOP plan. The Branch also coordinates and conducts COOP training and exercises to test and improve the COOP plan.
Planning and Preparedness
A critical component of emergency management is planning and preparing for potential emergencies. Emergency plans and procedures must be established and tested in order to minimize the impact of unexpected events that disrupt normal operations. E&E Emergency Management Services facilitates the development, implementation, maintenance, and evaluation of emergency plans and procedures, as well as providing testing, trainings, and exercises about emergency operations, for the safety of our people and the environment.