Learn About the Office of Emergency Management

Matt Mueller HeadshotA word from our Executive Director

Welcome to the Denver Office of Emergency Management. The City and County of Denver faces an ever-changing threat and hazard environment.  From pandemics to winter storms, hazardous materials incidents to social unrest, and cyberattacks to violent extremism – the threats and hazards evolve, but the mission remains the same.  Denver OEM stands ready to lead Denver’s emergency management efforts to cultivate safe, prepared, and resilient communities.

Through partnership and engagement with our elected leaders, residents, businesses, and community-based organizations, it is our commitment to you that we will work together to ensure the safety and preparedness of our community members. 

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about our programs and we hope you choose to actively engage to prepare yourself, your family, and your community.

 

Warmly, 
Matthew Mueller

 

Mission

Leading Denver’s emergency management efforts to cultivate safe, prepared, and resilient communities.

Vision

To become a National model in shaping and sustaining the culture of preparedness throughout the whole community.

Purpose

The Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (OEM) provides emergency management services to the residents and businesses within the City and County of Denver in coordination with State and Regional partners to reduce the impact of all-natural, technological, terrorism, and intentional risks.  OEM coordinates emergency management and homeland security efforts across all City and County departments and offices, Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOADs), Non-Governmental Organizations, and private sector partners in order to cultivate safe, prepared, and resilient communities.

What We Do

OEM supports the City and County of Denver by providing a common framework for the protection of residents and businesses from all-natural, technological, intentional, and terrorism risks. OEM provides services across all phases of the emergency management lifecycle; from preparedness, mitigation, and prevention activities before an emergency to response and recovery operations during and after a multi-agency and/or multi-jurisdictional emergency.

What We Provide

OEM manages the City and County of Denver’s multi-agency coordination system, to include the primary, alternate, and virtual Emergency Operations Center (EOC); emergency communications systems; and Joint Information Center (JIC) coordination.  OEM coordinates comprehensive, integrated risk management and emergency planning for all types of emergencies and declared disasters.  OEM develops organizations for response and recovery; conducts Federal-and State-compliant training and exercise programs; and equips emergency services with surge capability for complex emergencies.  OEM coordinates continuity programs across Denver, its departments, and local businesses. 

Core Services

  • Emergency Management (EM) provides comprehensive, integrated capabilities and capacity for managing multi-agency and multi-jurisdictional emergencies impacting Denver, its businesses, its residents, or its environment.
  • Homeland Security (HLS) coordinates Federal, State, and Local efforts to provide safe, secure, and resilient communities through prevention of and protection against acts of terrorism in the Denver metropolitan area.
  • Continuity Programs provide planning, organization, training, and exercising of plans for Continuity of Government (COG), Continuity of Operations (COOP), Business Continuity, and Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP).
  • Incident Management and Operational Coordination provides the Multi-Agency Coordination System (MACS) for managing large, complex emergencies and declared disasters, including the Denver Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Joint Information Center (JIC), and supporting Departmental Operations Centers and incident command in the field.
  • Public Information and Warning provides the Joint Information System (JIS) for managing large, complex emergencies and declared disasters, including the Joint Information Center (JIC), the Outdoor Warning System consisting of 86 tornado sirens, Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) , and the City’s Emergency Public Information capability for distributing critical information before, during, and after an emergency.
  • Emergency Planning provides comprehensive, interagency planning for emergency operations, hazard mitigation, prevention and protection activities, and recovery operations, including the Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA), Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP), and supporting annexes and appendices.
  • Community Preparedness provides outreach, training, education, and exercises to support emergency preparedness of employees, residents, businesses, and non-governmental organizations, including the Denver Ready program and the Denver Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program.
  • Post-Disaster Recovery Coordination provides comprehensive, interagency capabilities and capacity for managing recovery operations and support community recovery, including Disaster Assistance Centers and coordination of Federal, State, and Local assistance programs.

 

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