Mission, Vision, & Values

Mission 

The Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management will ensure, through coordination with the City and County stakeholders, that we are prepared to respond and recover from all natural and man-made emergencies. We strive to enhance community resilience by integrating preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation into our initiatives. We provide resources to first responders, and the community, to accomplish our objectives and support other organizations that are dedicated to the overall well-being of the community.

Vision

Build an effective partnership with local governments, emergency services, private sector, and volunteer agencies with effective plans, necessary resources, and training for variable and efficient disaster response. To save lives and protect property, the capability to successfully work together to mitigate against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from all-hazards-related emergencies and disasters.  

Values

• Excellence - Striving for the highest standards in all aspects of emergency management to ensure optimal outcomes.
• Teamwork - Valuing cooperative efforts and mutual support among colleagues and partners to enhance our overall performance.
• Leadership - Guiding and inspiring others through effective decision-making vision and action – before, during and after a disaster.
• Adaptability - Being flexible and responsive to changing conditions and challenges in Montgomery County.

Overview

Montgomery County’s Emergency Management Agency is the managing body charged with coordinating responses to natural and man-made disasters that may occur within the borders of Montgomery County, Tennessee. Montgomery County EMA oversees all four phases of the emergency management cycle, including:

Mitigation

This includes ongoing efforts to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from hazards and their effects). Montgomery County has a fully accredited Hazard Mitigation Plan, which provides a hazard analysis and risk assessment for Montgomery County and the City of Clarksville.

Preparedness

This includes plans and preparations designed to save lives and facilitate response and recovery operations. The major measures of preparedness include the development of an Emergency Operations Plan, recruiting, assigning, training staff, identifying resources and supplies, and designating facilities for emergency use.

Response

Response encompasses all activities taken to save lives and reduce damage from a disaster or other event. This includes providing emergency assistance to victims, restoring critical infrastructure, and ensuring continuity of critical services. 

Recovery

The goal of the recovery phase is to return the community’s systems and activities to normal. This phase may last from just a few days to several years. Long-term recovery includes restoring economic activity and rebuilding community facilities and housing. Montgomery County’s EMA also is certified by the National Weather Service as a “Storm Ready” community and hosts annual “Weather Spotter” classes which train citizens in early detection of severe inclement weather conditions. Montgomery County was one of the first counties in Tennessee to earn this certification, which must be renewed every three years.

In addition to these programs, our EMA also facilitates the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). This program educates citizens in disaster preparedness techniques and trains them in basic disaster-response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, and disaster medical operations. Using CERT training, community members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event and can take a more active role in preparing their community. The program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security. Montgomery County teaches CERT twice yearly. For more information about attending classes, contact Montgomery County EMA at 931-648-5702.

Regarding matters of national security, Montgomery County’s EMA has been selected as the host agency for Homeland Security District 7, which is comprised of Cheatham, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys, Montgomery, Robertson, and Stewart counties, along with the areas of Fort Campbell, Ky., and the Tennessee Valley Authority region. Members meet regularly to keep abreast of Homeland Security issues within the district, and to coordinate projects for Homeland Security Grant funds. EMA is the grant administrator for these funds.