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Dept. of Homeland Security Pulaski County Courthouse Room 110 112 E. Main St. Winamac, IN 46996 574-946-6391 (Office) 574-946-3896 (Fax) This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it (e-mail) IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY - CALL 911 M-F 8 am – 4 pm Larry Hoover – Director Pulaski County Emergency Management Agency / Local Emergency Planning Committee are located in the basement of the courthouse. Formerly known as Civil Defense (Nonmilitary measures designed to protect civilians in wartime.) The modern concept of Emergency Management in the United States was developed during the World War II era to what we have today. At the national level we are all familiar with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). In addition to this large federal agency we also have the State of Indiana office of Homeland Security, and local offices of emergency management such as Pulaski County. But how did this vast network of emergency planning and response agencies develop? On May 20, 1941 President Roosevelt created the Office of Civilian Defense to oversee and assist America’s communities with a daunting task to address the dangers not just to floods and tornadoes but also the sneak attacks from Axis powers. Do you remember what happened on Sunday, December 7, 1941? The Japanese attacked the American naval fleet as it sat quietly at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. America went to war, and the concept of Civil Defense then took on an ominous reality. Lets not forget the events of 9-11 and the horrific act of terrorism brought against the United States. In 2002 the department of Homeland Security was developed to bring forth a higher state of readiness and guidelines to help the United States in the event of another act of terrorism or major crisis. Today being part of Homeland Security, the office of Emergency Management works as a Support Function of resource management in a manner consistent with coordination of county emergency response agencies such as police, fire, ems, etc. to cope with the effects of a disaster. Disasters can include tornadoes, flooding, acts of terrorism, earthquakes etc. Disaster mitigation and preparedness is the primary role of this department. The office of Emergency Management also utilizes volunteers which assist with emergency operations as needed within Pulaski County and are available to assist other departments as needed and soon to be recognized as a local Search And Rescue (SAR) unit. This office is an appointed position by the Pulaski County Commissioners with the recommendation of the Pulaski County Emergency Management Advisory Board membership. |
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