The Fire, EMS & Emergency Management office is responsible for creating and managing the framework within Clarke County government, including its official Emergency Operation Plan (updated May 2023). The department works to reduce vulnerability to hazards and cope with disasters in five primary areas:

Prevention
Prevent, avoid, or stop an imminent, threatened or actual act of terrorism.

Protection
Protect residents, visitors, and assets against the greatest threats and hazards in a manner that allows our interests, aspirations and way of life to thrive.

Mitigation
Reduce the loss of life and property by lessening the impact of future disasters.

Response
Respond quickly to save lives, protect property and the environment, and meet basic human needs in the aftermath of a catastrophic incident.

Recovery
Focus on the timely restoration, strengthening, and revitalization of infrastructure, housing, and a sustainable economy as well as the health, social, cultural, historic, and environmental assets affected by a catastrophic incident.

For more information, contact Wayne Whetsell, chief of Fire, EMS & Emergency Management, at (540) 955-5113 or wwhetsell@clarkecounty.gov.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES 

• American Red Cross
• Centers for Disease Control
• Commonwealth of Virginia
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• National Weather Service
• National Hurricane Center
• Office of Homeland Security
• U.S. Fire Administration
• Virginia Department of Emergency Management
• Virginia Emergency Management Association
• Virginia State Police