What does an emergency manager do, anyway?
Staff writer
Marcy Hostetler has been spreading her wings — and information — about her role as the county’s emergency management director and what her department is able to do for cities and organizations.
Many people confuse emergency management with emergency medical services, Hostetler said. That’s why she’s on a tour of city council meetings and accepting invitations to speak to organizations and businesses.
She has spoken to Goessel, Hillsboro, and Peabody city councils so far and is open to invitations to speak to organizations.
“Emergency management is an all-hazards discipline that provides an invaluable tool for mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery,” Hostetler said.
Kansas requires county emergency managers to be certified by the state.
“The other thing I try to do is help people develop emergency plans,” Hostetler said. “I would be happy to go over their emergency plan and make suggestions.”
She helps with plans for schools, non-profit organizations, and businesses, but she can’t write someone else’s plan.
Hostetler and deputy director Dan Schaefer track weather, send out alerts, go to weather events, and take damage reports and assessments.
Damage reports may be sent to Hostetler at marcymhostetler@marioncoks.net or to Schaefer at dschaefer@marioncoks.net
Reports may be texted to Hostetler at (620) 877-0029 or Schaefer at (620) 877-0207.
Another function of emergency management is to assist fire departments, law enforcement, and emergency medical services.
When the county needs to issue a disaster declaration, emergency management assists with the process.
The department also assists with getting grants, arranging training and classes, and coordinating resource requests from other counties.
Hostetler and Schaefer also make presentations to community groups on financial preparedness, emergency kits, pet preparedness, and weather preparedness and participate in county events such as Safe Kids Day, Florence Grand Prix, arts and crafts festivals, the county fair, fire safety month, and preparedness month.