ABOUT EMD > STRATEGIC PLANCity of Los Angeles Emergency Management DepartmentLAEMD_152ed3c8-4fcc-11e4-b424-0a4c027e93ecWith approximately 4 million residents and 400,000 business firms, the City of Los Angeles Emergency Management Department (EMD) has the enormous task of planning and preparing all City departments, residents and businesses for man-made and natural emergencies, as well as coordinating subsequent response, recovery and mitigation efforts... The Emergency Management Department has four divisions comprised of administrative staff and specialists that work with City departments, municipalities and an array of community based organizations to ensure that the City and its residents have the resources and information they need to prepare, respond and recover from emergencies, disasters and significant events.James FeatherstoneGeneral Manager -- James G. Featherstone is a veteran of the 1992 Civil Disturbance, 1993 Firestorm, the 1994 Northridge Earthquake, many local emergencies and numerous regional campaign incidents. In the spring of 2000, Featherstone was selected as a Fire Plans Officer for the 2000 Democratic National Convention (DNC). He was instrumental in the development of the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD)’s Operational and Tactical Plans. During the operational phase of the DNC, Featherstone was assigned as the Metro Area Command Plans Chief. Professional studies and field experience in command and control operations have given him a solid foundation in both emergency planning and emergency incident management. As an alumnus of the National Fire Academy (NFA), Featherstone completed the NFA’s residence curriculum of Incident Management courses. He serves as an adjunct instructor at the National Emergency Response and Rescue Training Center at Texas A&M University. Since his appointment, Featherstone has worked to make emergency management in Los Angeles more inclusive, contemporary and effective by insisting that “all of us are greater than any one of us.” He is a member of the National Incident Management Working Group, the National Emergency Management Working Group and serves as Chair of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Advisory Council. Featherstone remains a member of United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and Local 112, where he served on the Executive Board as a Negotiation Team Member for 19 years and as Chief Negotiator for five years. Featherstone is also a member and past Executive Board member of the Stentorians of Los Angeles City, which represents African Americans in the fire service.Administrative Services Division * Develops, prepares and administers the annual EOF and EMD budgets * Handles all departmental accounting functions including procurement, accounts payable, travel arrangements, time keeping, grant administration and financial reporting * Assists EMD management in addressing labor relations issues, resolves personnel matters and facilitates and coordinates the hiring process * Serves as the liaison to county, state, federal and local non-profit agencies * Provides staff support for the EOB and EMC * Chairs the EOO Administrative/Finance SubcommitteeCommunications Division * Serves as the department’s centralized hub for gathering and disseminating information using resources such as the Internet, Channel 35 City View, publications, mass media and social media * Coordinates all department press conferences, press releases and special events * Develops and publishes informational materials and bulletins about emergency readiness and current or emerging crisis issues * Serves as the lead agency for the Information and Public Affairs Section and/or Joint Information Center when the Emergency Operations Center is activated * Responsible for maintaining all media contacts and responding to media requests and inquires * Responds to inquires for information from the public and from City employeesCommunity Emergency Management Division * Works with neighborhood associations, schools, faith-based organizations and other community groups to promote emergency management * Coordinates EOO community outreach programs * Participates in fairs, expos and community meetings * Publishes and disseminates preparedness information * Distributes brochures and other educational material * Chairs the EOO Community Preparedness SubcommitteeOperations DivisionThe Operations Division is divided into three units:Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Facilities Unit * Responsible for EOC readiness, emergency planning, training and exercise programs. It is also responsible for ensuring the operational readiness of the City's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and alternate EOC's. This includes: * Coordinating EOC activations * Staffing, training, securing access, managing information and maintaining communications systems for all EOC and alternate EOC facilities and Department Operations Centers (DOC's) * Coordinates EOO community outreach programs * Chairing the EOO Operations SubcommitteePlanning Unit * Leads in the development of citywide emergency plans * Revises and distributes the Emergency Operations Master Plan and Master Plan Procedures and Annexes * Updates and disseminates guidelines for the emergency response and recovery plans * Reviews and tests departmental emergency plans to ensure City departments and their employees are ready to fulfill their respective emergency missions * Prepares the General Manager's annual report on the state of the City's Emergency Management for review by the Emergency Operations Board, mayor and city council * Monitors federal, state and local government emergency plans * Chairs the EOO Planning SubcommitteeTraining and Exercise Unit * Provides emergency preparedness training for City employees * Coordinates citywide emergency management training programs, including maintenance of the City Master Plan Training Annex and tracking EOO-funded training activities * Develops citywide emergency management exercises for the EOO * Chairs the EOO Training Subcommittee_152ed53a-4fcc-11e4-b424-0a4c027e93ecTo plan and prepare City departments, residents and businesses for man-made and natural emergencies, as well as coordinate subsequent response, recovery and mitigation efforts._152ed6a2-4fcc-11e4-b424-0a4c027e93ecStrategies & PoliciesServe as the leading City experts in contemporary emergency management strategies and policies._152ed74c-4fcc-11e4-b424-0a4c027e93ec1_152ed7ec-4fcc-11e4-b424-0a4c027e93ecCommunication & CoordinationEnhance communication and coordination with City departments to provide accountability in emergency preparedness activities and eliminate redundancy of efforts citywide._152ed8aa-4fcc-11e4-b424-0a4c027e93ec2_152ed94a-4fcc-11e4-b424-0a4c027e93ecEmergency PlansEnsure that all department emergency plans are up-to-date, consistent, comprehensive and compliant with state and federal guidelines._152ed9ea-4fcc-11e4-b424-0a4c027e93ec3_152eda9e-4fcc-11e4-b424-0a4c027e93ecTrainingEnsure City staff has access to all required and recommended training relevant to emergency management and preparedness._152edb3e-4fcc-11e4-b424-0a4c027e93ec4_152edbe8-4fcc-11e4-b424-0a4c027e93ecTraining & ExercisesEnsure training and exercises are implemented as appropriate to evaluate and improve capabilities, operational readiness, preparedness, plans and strategies in a risk-free environment._152edca6-4fcc-11e4-b424-0a4c027e93ec5_152edd46-4fcc-11e4-b424-0a4c027e93ecEmergency Operations CenterReview and revise update the Emergency Operations Center training requirements to streamline and update standards and processes._152eddf0-4fcc-11e4-b424-0a4c027e93ec6Emergency Operations Center_152edeea-4fcc-11e4-b424-0a4c027e93ecCommunity Outreach & PartnershipsCoordinate and expand community outreach efforts and actively establish and maintain partnerships with community leaders throughout the City._152edf94-4fcc-11e4-b424-0a4c027e93ec7Los Angeles Community Leaders_152ee0d4-4fcc-11e4-b424-0a4c027e93ecEmergency Operations FundEnhance the administration and management of the the Emergency Operations Fund (EOF)._152ee1a6-4fcc-11e4-b424-0a4c027e93ec8_152ee25a-4fcc-11e4-b424-0a4c027e93ecEmergency Management ProgramEnsure that the City's emergency management program (including mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery, and training) includes issues affecting persons with disabilities and others with access and functional needs, children and older adults._152ee30e-4fcc-11e4-b424-0a4c027e93ec9Persons with DisabilitiesChildrenOlder Adults_152ee3d6-4fcc-11e4-b424-0a4c027e93ec2014-10-09http://emergency.lacity.org/ABOUTEMD/OurStrategicPlan/index.htmOwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net