HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 09-17-2024; 4-a - Proclamation Honoring Emergency Management Professionals and Proclaiming September 30, 2024 as Emergency Management Professionals' Day 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: September 17, 2024
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-a
SUBJECT: Proclamation Honoring Emergency Management Professionals and Proclaiming
September 30, 2024 as Emergency Management Professionals' Day
DEPARTMENT: Emergency Services
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Proclamation Kirby Saunders, Emergency Services
Director, (919) 245-6123
PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation recognizing the invaluable contributions of the Emergency
Management Professionals in Orange County and proclaiming September 30, 2024 as
"Emergency Management Professionals' Day" in Orange County.
BACKGROUND: In 1951, the North Carolina General Assembly officially acknowledged the roles
and duties of state and local governments in preventing, preparing for, responding to, and
recovering from natural or man-made emergencies, as well as hostile military or paramilitary
actions. Nearly 26 years later, in 1977, North Carolina legislators enacted the North Carolina
Emergency Management Act. This Act solidified the responsibilities concerning the protection of
vulnerable individuals and property, swift and effective rescue operations, care and treatment,
and the coordination of efforts to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters
involving federal, state, local, private, and quasi-governmental entities.
Since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the field of emergency management has seen
significant growth as communities and organizations worldwide acknowledge the crucial role of
professional emergency managers. Orange County has a rich legacy of maintaining an
outstanding emergency management program led by skilled professionals dedicated to
enhancing the resilience of the community. Emergency Managers from Orange County have often
been called to serve throughout North Carolina and across the Country during times of crisis due
to their professionalism, vast knowledge, and extensive experience. Many of these professionals
have served in various capacities to shape local, state and federal policy, shared their knowledge
by educating new emergency management practitioners, and/or continued their service in highly
prominent positions, such as leading the District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency
Management Agency in the Nation's Capital (former Orange County Emergency Management
Specialist Clint Osborn).
Today, the Orange County emergency management program includes a robust network of
professionals throughout the community including County and municipal governments, public
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health and healthcare, public school districts and higher education, and the Orange Water and
Sewer Authority.
During times of crisis, these professionals coordinate closely throughout the entire life cycle of the
event or incident. Theses individuals manage Emergency Operations Centers, provide policy
guidance, public alert and warning, and coordinate community support both inside and outside of
their organizations. In non-crisis moments, these emergency management professionals possess
extensive knowledge of the evolving hazards and risks that threaten the community, offer
essential leadership, management, and operational expertise needed to help our communities,
organizations, and agencies bolster resilience to emergency situations.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports:
• GOAL 2: HEALTHY COMMUNITY
OBJECTIVE 6. Invest in, support, train, and retain our community safety, health, and
emergency services employees and direct care workforce.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve and authorize the
Chair to sign the proclamation honoring the community's emergency management professionals
and proclaiming September 30, 2024 at Emergency Management Professionals' Day in Orange
County.
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 3
PROCLAMATION
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS' DAY
SEPTEMBER 30, 2024
WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina has implemented a state emergency management
program, requiring localities to develop corresponding programs to mitigate the various
threats and hazards that pose risks to the state's residents; and
WHEREAS, emergency management safeguards communities by organizing and combining
all essential activities to enhance the ability to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover
from potential or real natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other human-made disasters;
and
WHEREAS, emergency management professionals perform a vital yet often overlooked role
in offering the essential leadership, management, and operational expertise needed to help
communities, organizations, and agencies create emergency plans and procedures, ensure
staff are well-trained and drills are conducted, issue emergency warnings and alerts, and
obtain resources to safeguard lives and property while bolstering resilience to emergency
situations; and
WHEREAS, emergency management professionals play a crucial role in directing or assisting
emergency operations, ensuring that emergency operations centers are constantly ready
24/7, and actively participating in operational activities throughout the entire emergency event
cycle; and
WHEREAS, emergency management professionals collaborate and communicate with a wide
range of partners across federal, state, regional, and local government levels, the private
sector, non-governmental organizations, and the general public; and
WHEREAS, emergency management professionals possess extensive knowledge of the
hazards and risks that threaten Orange County and our communities, the specific programs
and strategies available to address them, applicable federal, state, and local laws and
compliance guidelines, and the roles of critical partners essential to effective preparedness,
response, and disaster recovery; and
WHEREAS, emergency management professionals assist allied professionals in the medical
community and in emergency response, business, nonprofit, and faith organizations to
achieve preparedness, response, and recovery capabilities; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of Commissioners is proud to honor the service and
commitment of its emergency management professionals and recognize their contributions to
the lives, health, and safety of all who live, visit, and do business in Orange County.
NOW THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners, do hereby
proclaim September 30, 2024, as Emergency Management Professionals' Day in Orange
County, in honor and recognition of Orange County's Emergency Managers.
Adopted this 17th day of September, 2024.
Jamezetta Bedford, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners