Franklin County Emergency Management and Homeland Security is excited to announce the launch of our newly redesigned website. The new website includes a fresh look with added features and functionality to encourage user engagement. 

The responsive design allows users to access content on mobile devices as well as desktop computers.  Users can learn about ALERT Franklin County, the Franklin County Outdoor Warning Siren System, and find emergency preparedness information to help prepare them for and be alert to the hazards which threaten our community.   

The new website also features an Emergency Partner Portal which will provide our local partners with cross jurisdictional information in a user-friendly format. 

Local first responders and emergency partners can find upcoming training opportunities, register online for classes, and access links to surrounding municipalities (police, fire, local government). 

Our website address will not change and remain, www.fcemhs.org. Visit our new site today!   

Franklin County residents and businesses can help Franklin County Emergency Management & Homeland Security (FCEM&HS) update the county’s emergency preparedness plans by participating in a voluntary online survey. Feedback from the confidential 10-minute survey will enable FCEM&HS to better serve residents and businesses before, during and after an emergency or disaster. 

FCEM&HS continually works to ensure Franklin County is prepared for all types of disasters. This survey provides an opportunity for residents and businesses to voice their concerns, let FCEM&HS know what hazards they are most concerned about, and identify services the community may need during an emergency.

Link to Survey: Franklin County Hazard Mitigation Survey

FCEM&HS recently partnered with Nextdoor, the private social network for neighborhoods, to connect with residents and help Franklin County become better prepared for a disaster or an emergency.

This integration enables FCEM&HS to use Nextdoor to build stronger, safer and more prepared communities with the help of Franklin County residents. 

On Nextdoor, FCEM&HS and local neighborhoods are able to work together to improve emergency preparedness, strengthen community engagement, and better prepare for and recover from emergency situations.

FCEM&HS will use Nextdoor to share important news and updates, provide emergency preparedness information and communicate with Franklin County residents before during and after an emergency.  

Nextdoor is free for residents and each neighborhood in Franklin County has its own neighborhood website.  Each website is only accessible to residents of that neighborhood.  Anyone interested in joining their neighborhood’s Nextdoor website can visit nextdoor.com and enter their address.

In an on-going effort to better connect with our regional and urban area partners, Director Jeff Young and FCEM&HS staff hosted a visit from Director Nick Crossley and staff from Hamilton County Emergency Management & Homeland Security Agency (EMHSA) in late November. 

The networking event enabled staff members from both organizations to compare agency organization, share best practices and establish relationships. Topics of discussion included emergency operations, local planning efforts, training and exercises, grants and equipment management, community outreach and social media.  FCEM&HS also provided an in-depth overview of the Franklin County Outdoor Warning Siren System, the Chemical Emergency Preparedness Advisory Committee (CEPAC) and the county's mass notification system, ALERT Franklin County.

In 2018, FCEM&HS will travel to Cincinnati to tour Hamilton County EMHSA and continue networking efforts. 

The Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP) process is now in full swing. FCEM&HS continues to serve as the grant administrator for Homeland Security Region 4 (HSR4) which consists of 15 counties and includes Crawford, Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Hardin, Knox, Licking, Logan, Madison, Marion, Morrow, Pickaway, Union, and Wyandot. This terrorism preparedness grant program funds equipment, planning, training and exercises for Franklin County’s first responders and response partners.

In FY 2017, HSR4 was allocated $710,584 and sustainment of specialty teams continued to be a high priority. Project funding of high interest includes Bomb Squads for Columbus Fire and the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, communication upgrades for the Columbus Fire Unified Command Vehicle, local Hazmat Teams and additional funding for attendance to the National Homeland Security Conference in New York City.  The funding is made available through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and awarded by the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (OEMA).