Oxford County
Emergency Management Agency
PO Box 179, 26 Western Avenue
South Paris ME 04281
Ph 207-743-6336 FAX 207-743-7346
oxctyema@megalink.net
Office hours: Monday through Friday 8am-4pm
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EMA HistoryThe concept of emergency management as an integral part of government's public safety services evolved in the 1970's. Forward-thinking public administrators discovered that there are common emergency response functions that have to be performed in all technological and natural disasters. Until that time, federal grants had provided capabilities for emergency communication, direction and control, warning, evacuation, and sheltering through civil defense programs designed for use during a nuclear attack. It became apparent that using these procedures during natural or technological disasters/emergencies provided a faster, more efficient, and predictable response. The Maine Emergency Management Agency was established in 1949 as the Maine Civil Defense and Public Safety Agency. In 1972 the agency's name was changed to the Bureau of civil Emergency Preparedness and them in September of 1987 it was redesignated as the Maine Emergency Management Agency. The Federal Civil Defense ActThe Federal Civil Defense Act was originally designed as war-preparedness legislation which required each state and municipality to have an emergency plan and a civil defense director. Under this law, the Congress has appropriated monies to pay for the program through the years. The amount of money appropriated has varied and, at times, there has been money to buy supplies and equipment, build operating centers, and hire staff. When the law was amended in 1981 to allow for an "all-hazards" approach to emergency management, the flow of monies slowed but did not stop. Even today, federal funds support EMA training and up to half of the salary of county EMA Directors and staff. To receive this matching money each county contracts with the Federal Government through the State to accomplish certain actions in the forthcoming year. As defined in the law, the purpose of the civil defense (or emergency management) program is to: 1) minimize the effects of disasters, 2) respond to emergency conditions, and 3) repair and restore vital infrastructure and utilities. These goals are met by identifying hazards, analyzing capabilities, and planning a comprehensive response. The law places responsibility for this preparedness jointly on federal, state, county and local government. |
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