Office of Emergency Management

by Mescalero Apache Tribe | June 9, 2022 3:58 pm

Phone: (575) 464-4711 Fax: (575) 464-4637

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 250 Mescalero, NM 88340

Physical Address: 268 Pine St., Mescalero, NM 88340

Responsibilities of the Office of Emergency Management (OEM)

Main Responsibilities

The Mescalero Apache Tribe Office of Emergency Management (OEM) leads the tribe in comprehensive emergency management including planning and preparedness for, response and recovery from, and mitigation of natural, manmade, and accidental incidents of high consequence. OEM is responsible for coordinating and supervising all tribal emergency management to include homeland security operations during natural or man-made emergencies and disasters, pandemics and acts of terrorism, including program activities and community preparedness.

Through innovative and effective coordination, management, and leadership, OEM will optimize the tribe’s capability to preserve life, stabilize & resolve incidents, limit loss, conserve property, and ensure continuity of operations and government. OEM works with neighboring agencies, state and federal including agencies across the county and the nation to share plans, explore best practices and develop collaborative relationships to ensure the most effective and efficient response and recovery efforts.

The vision of the Mescalero Apache Tribe OEM is to create a more resilient tribal capable of surviving before, during, and after any major disaster through innovative and effective leadership, tribal awareness, education, and training.

Planning and Coordination Efforts

Maintaining an approved Emergency Operations Plan
Providing ongoing leadership and coordinating disaster plans and exercises
Assisting tribal departments to develop department emergency plans which address how they will perform both their non-deferrable missions and duties during disasters
Assisting tribal departments with development of facility emergency plans for facilities
Working with outside agencies in collaborative efforts to maximize resources needed to respond and recover from major disasters
Working with People with Disabilities and elderly to ensure that planning efforts include and serve all community members
Supporting and advising the Tribal Administrator, President, Council members, Department Heads and other tribal Staff in matters pertaining to their role as elected officials, employees and Disaster Service Workers during emergencies and disasters.

Operations Efforts

Establishing and maintaining the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in a state of operational readiness
Serving as an on-call EOC first responder on a 24-hour basis

Training Efforts

Establishing and training a cadre of EOC members trained in section and position responsibilities and use of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS)
Providing ongoing training for the EOC Supervisor and staff

Public Education Efforts

Conducting public education campaigns for all hazards through public venues and various media presentations
Establishing and maintaining Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) program across the reservation, including coordinating efforts with local jurisdictions for unified training and response efforts

Source URL: https://mescaleroapachetribe.com/office-of-emergency-management/