What We Are Working On

EOC Expansion Construction Project

On 30 September 2012, PEMA started the long-awaited expansion construction project for the Emergency Operation Center (EOC).
The total estimated cost for the project is approximately $2,300,000. This amount includes the construction of a two-story masonry building and one-story attached storage facility according to specifications with all site work, excavations, foundations, walls, flooring, windows, doors, roofing, electric, heating, plumbing and other necessary work.

This project will allow for the increase of much needed space at the EOC. Interior elements include a 75-person multi-purpose training room, dormitory, kitchen, break area, lockers, men and woman's bathroom and shower facility, medical clinic and space for surge operations. Additionally, a vehicle and shortage garage will be attached to the main building. The new facility will greatly enhance the physical plant of the EOC and provide enough space to ensure that there will be a ready 24-hour presence within the City's EOC. This additional space also means that a second compliment of staff will be on site should an emergency incident intensify or require the expertise of specific individuals.

The Providence EOC facility will be fully ready and equipped to handle incidents which bisect traditional political boundaries and provide needed incident support and coordination to neighboring communities within the region. The region comprises the heart of Rhode Island's economic, educational, cultural and entertainment programs, and includes more than 60% of the state residential population. This project will create a truly regional capability in the center of the State's most densely populated area.

Upon the completion of this fully-integrated and modern EOC, scheduled for July 2013, the City will have created a significant regional capability that benefits not only to the City of Providence but to the entire region.

You can keep track of our progress at our Flickr page PEMA591.

Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP)

Our goal is to secure national accreditation for PEMA to ensure capabilities are up to highest standard.

Why: By achieving accredited status, an emergency management program demonstrates to the public and to elected officials that it is using its resources to provide the capabilities that emergency managers nationwide agree are necessary to be prepared for and to respond to natural and human-caused disasters.

The goal of EMAP is to provide a meaningful, voluntary accreditation process for state, territorial, and local programs that have the responsibility of preparing for and responding to disasters. By offering consistent standards and a process through which emergency management programs can demonstrate compliance, EMAP will strengthen communities' capabilities in responding to all types of hazards, from tornadoes and earthquakes to school violence and bioterrorism. Accreditation is voluntary. Its intent is to encourage examination of strengths and weaknesses, pursuit of corrective measures, and communication and planning among different sectors of government and the community.

What is EMAP?: The Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) is a standard-based voluntary assessment and accreditation process for state and local government programs responsible for coordinating prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery activities for natural and human-caused disasters. Accreditation is based on compliance with collaboratively developed national standards.

Benefits:

• Provides benchmarks for program management and operations;
• Focuses on comprehensive emergency management;
• Encourages collaboration of state- and community-wide programs rather than individual agencies;
• Validates professional capabilities;
• Recognizes program quality and individual effort;
• Demonstrates effective use of public resources and provides justification for resources;
• Encourages intra- and interagency communication and team-building through the assessment and accreditation process;
• Broadens perspective on the profession of emergency management and emergency preparedness activities;
• Deepens understanding of one's own program organization and operations;
• Expands experience and knowledge through networking and sharing of best practices; and
• Contributes individual skills to improving the nation's public safety and security by increasing emergency management program effectiveness.

UPDATE: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!! The EMAP Commission awarded the City of Providence full accreditation on October 27, 2010.

PEMA recognized for EMAP Standard - Best Practices.

Emergency Management Chapter 7 Ordinance

UPDATE: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!! On 19 January 2012, the Providence City Council unanimously voted (second vote) to approve the proposed changes to the Code of Ordinance, Chapter 7, Emergency Management. On 23 January 2012, Mayor Taveras signed the into ordinance the new changes. Thanks to all who helped PEMA achieve this much needed update.

Code of Ordinance