Westchester County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP)
The Westchester County CEMP is a multidisciplinary, all-hazards plan that establishes a single, comprehensive framework for the management of major emergencies and disasters affecting Westchester County. The CEMP is implemented when it becomes necessary to mobilize the resources of County departments, offices, and cooperating organizations to save lives and protect property and infrastructure. The Plan assigns major roles and responsibilities to departments, offices, and cooperating organizations.
In collaboration with representatives from county departments and agencies designated to the Emergency Preparedness Workgroup Steering Committee, Westchester County Emergency Management (WCEM) developed the CEMP and is responsible for its maintenance.
Under the authority – and on behalf of the County Executive – the Westchester County Director of Emergency Management is responsible for leading efforts to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from emergencies and disasters. This includes coordinating activities to safeguard residents, property, infrastructure, and visitors, as well as managing the County’s overall emergency planning, preparedness, response, and recovery programs.
The CEMP is activated when a disaster, major emergency, or planned event exceeds routine operational capacity. It supports coordination among County departments and complements the plans and procedures of local governments, special districts, and public, private, and nonprofit entities.
The Plan provides an all-hazard framework in the event of a disaster, major emergency, or crisis to ensure the safety, health, and welfare of Westchester County residents. It adopts the National Incident Management System (NIMS)—including ICS—and applies these principles through an Incident Support Model (ISM) to guide all phases of emergency management. This alignment ensures consistent practices across Local, County, State, and Federal response systems.
The CEMP is composed of four (4) main elements: 1) Basic Plan; 2) Functional Annexes; 3) Hazard-Specific Annexes; and 4) Appendices.
Basic Plan: Outlines Westchester County’s all-hazard emergency management approach and defines roles, responsibilities, and coordination mechanisms across all mission areas. It incorporates NIMS, Unified Command, and ISM to align with County, State, and Federal standards.
Functional Annexes: Detail how County departments coordinate to perform cross-cutting emergency functions (e.g., communications, logistics, mass care). These annexes apply to all incidents, regardless of type.
Hazard-Specific Annexes: Address key hazards that require unique planning considerations (e.g., floods, pandemics, terrorism). They include targeted response tasks based on County Emergency Preparedness Assessment (CEPA) and the County’s Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP).
Appendices: Contain supporting information (such as maps, contact lists, forms, and reference materials) that assist in implementing the Basic Plan and annexes. These ensure plans are operational, accessible, and tailored to Westchester County’s needs.