West Virginia Code of State Rules Agency 170 - Homeland Security And Emergency Management
West Virginia Code of State Rules
Agency 170 – Homeland Security and Emergency Management
Purpose and Mission
Agency 170 governs the organization, roles, responsibilities, and procedures of the West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM). The primary mission is to prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate natural and man-made disasters to protect public health, safety, property, and the environment within West Virginia.
Organizational Structure
Director of DHSEM:
The agency is led by a Director appointed according to state law. The Director oversees the implementation of policies, coordination with federal and local agencies, and administration of emergency management programs.
Emergency Management Staff:
Includes personnel responsible for planning, training, exercises, and operational coordination during emergencies.
Local Emergency Management Agencies:
The agency works closely with county and municipal emergency management organizations to ensure statewide preparedness and effective response.
Key Functions and Responsibilities
1. Planning
Develop and maintain the State Emergency Operations Plan (SEOP) which provides comprehensive guidelines for disaster response and recovery.
Coordinate with federal, state, and local agencies to integrate resources and capabilities.
Establish hazard-specific annexes addressing threats like floods, hurricanes, terrorism, and pandemics.
2. Training and Exercises
Organize training programs for emergency personnel at all levels.
Conduct periodic exercises to test and evaluate emergency plans and capabilities.
Use lessons learned from exercises and actual incidents to improve preparedness.
3. Emergency Response Coordination
Activate the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) during emergencies to serve as a central coordination point.
Facilitate communication among response agencies, local governments, and federal partners.
Provide technical support and resource management during incidents.
4. Disaster Recovery
Administer state disaster recovery programs to assist individuals, businesses, and communities affected by disasters.
Coordinate with federal disaster assistance programs and ensure compliance with requirements.
Oversee damage assessment and reporting.
5. Mitigation
Promote initiatives to reduce the impact of future disasters.
Support local mitigation planning and hazard risk assessments.
Provide guidance on infrastructure hardening, community resilience, and public education.
Rulemaking and Procedures
Agency 170 has promulgated specific rules detailing:
Procedures for disaster declarations at the state level.
Processes for requesting and managing mutual aid between jurisdictions.
Requirements for local emergency management programs, including reporting and compliance.
Standards for licensing and credentialing of emergency responders when applicable.
Rules governing the use of emergency funds and allocation of resources.
State-Federal Coordination
The agency functions as the state’s liaison with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other federal entities.
It ensures the state meets federal requirements for emergency preparedness, enabling access to federal funding and technical support.
Communication and Public Information
DHSEM is responsible for maintaining emergency communication systems.
It provides timely information and alerts to the public during emergencies.
Coordinates public education campaigns on preparedness and response.
Compliance and Enforcement
The agency oversees compliance with state emergency management laws and rules by local agencies and other entities.
It may issue guidance, conduct inspections, or take corrective actions to ensure readiness.
Enforcement provisions are designed to support cooperation and improvement rather than punitive measures.
Summary Table
| Topic | Description |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Prepare, respond, recover, and mitigate disasters statewide. |
| Leadership | Director oversees agency operations and coordination. |
| Planning | State Emergency Operations Plan and hazard-specific annexes. |
| Training & Exercises | Programs to build and test emergency response capabilities. |
| Response Coordination | Activation of SEOC and resource management during incidents. |
| Recovery | Administers disaster recovery assistance programs. |
| Mitigation | Supports efforts to reduce disaster risks and impacts. |
| Rulemaking | Governs disaster declarations, mutual aid, local programs, etc. |
| State-Federal Liaison | Coordinates with FEMA and federal partners. |
| Public Information | Maintains emergency communications and public awareness. |
| Compliance Oversight | Ensures local and state readiness under emergency management laws. |
Final Notes
Agency 170 provides a comprehensive framework ensuring West Virginia is prepared for emergencies through coordination, planning, training, and response. It emphasizes cooperation among all levels of government and integrates mitigation and recovery into a continuous cycle of improvement.
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