About WCEM

When Disaster strikes and local capabilities are exceeded, WCEM coordinates with county departments and other supporting organizations. The County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) operates and supports Incident Response activities by:

• Identifying and disseminating incident-related information 
• Coordinating resources and supplies for disaster response
• Providing Incident Command Support
• Facilitate disaster recovery process with county departments, local municipalities, state, federal, and non-governmental partners.
• Requests for assistance are made from the local municipality to the county, and then to the state and/or federal government as may be necessary.

Some of our day-to-day responsibilities include:

• Lead county-wide hazard mitigation planning committee;
• Develop preparedness and response plans and procedures for County Government; 
• Assist local planning initiatives through plan review and guidance; 
• Establish and foster communications with all preparedness partners;
• Facilitate Training & Exercise Activities;
• Manage the Westchester County Emergency Operations Center;
• Support volunteer agencies such as the Community Organizations in Disasters (COAD), Westchester Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), and Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT).

Recent accomplishments include: 

• Managed response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Tropical Storm Isaias, and the remnants of Hurricane Ida;
• Expanded stockpile of Personal Protective Equipment for emergency responders; 
• Implemented all-hazards training and exercise activities including a disaster recovery workshop for municipal officials, active shooter and fire mutual aid functional exercises, and a full-scale exercise at Westchester County Airport.