PEMA Chronology + Milestones

1952
The City of Providence created and passed into law an ordinance creating the Office of Civil Defense.

Office of Civil Defense located at 1951 Mineral Spring Ave, Providence, RI.

May 22, 1974
The Disaster Relief Act (Public Law 93-288), more popularly known as The Stafford Act, was signed into law.

1983
City of Providence modified the existing Ordinance and formed today's Providence Emergency Management Agency (PEMA).

September 1995
The first Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) for Providence promulgated.

September 29, 1999
First major Domestic Preparedness WMD Exercise conducted: MEASURED RESPONSE-PROVIDENCE.

November 25, 2002
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) created by the Homeland Security Act of 2002, P.L. 107-296.

April 2002
The Greater Providence Metropolitan Medical Response System (GP-MMRS) established.

May 2002
PEMA moves from Chad Brown to new Providence Public Safety Complex.

April 2004
First Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers trained.

June 2004
PEMA moves from Public Safety Complex to 591 Charles St, Providence, RI (current location).

March 10, 2005
City officially adopts (EO 2005-03) the National Incident Management System (NIMS).

October, 2006
The Providence Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) established.

February 8, 2007
Providence becomes official National Weather Service "Storm Ready" community (renewed July 15, 2010).

June 2007
Established the Metropolitan Medical Strike Team (MMST) in partnership with Lifespan Hospitals (Rhode Island Hospital).

November 5, 2008
City officially adopts (EO 2008-06) the City-wide Notification Policy.

August 2008
Providence, Rhode Island announced the implementation of FlashBrief.

November 2008
Providence Emergency Volunteer Service plan created combining both the CERT Program & ARC Shelter Programs.

April 2009
Emergency Operations Center (EOC) dedicated and operational.

Adopts official EOC Logo.

August 2009
Providence in Emergency Management Magazine article "Providence, R.I.: A Model for Public-Private Partnerships in Emergency Management"

September 2009
Port of Providence Emergency Siren Warning System installed and operational.

September 2009
Student Tools for Emergency Planning (STEP) started in Providence Public Schools.

March 29, 2010
Major Flooding occurred throughout New England and Rhode Island affecting various areas including Providence. Major Disaster Declared March 29, 2010 (DR-1894).

August 2010
Providence Emergency Notification System (ENS) operational.

October 10, 2010
Port of Providence Chemical Sensors installed and operational.

October 27, 2010
PEMA achieves national accreditation from the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP).

Spring 2011
First Animal Shelter designated in City of Providence to be the Neutaconkanut Recreational Center.

August 29, 2011
Tropical Storm Irene impacts Providence. 600 calls for wires and trees down. 27,000 households without power. First activation of the city's EOC. Major Disaster Declared September 3, 2011 (DR-4027).

October 16, 2011
PEMA conducts first all Spanish CERT training with volunteers from the New Generation Church in North Providence.

September 25, 2012
The USA Council of the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) announced that PEMA won its IAEM-USA & GLOBAL 2012 Awards Competition. Operation SMART EXIT won two awards, Partners in Preparedness, one for IAEM-USA and one for the GLOBAL competition.

October 23, 2012
PEMA conducted a groundbreaking ceremony to kick-off construction of a new addition to Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Providence.

October 29-30, 2012
Hurricane (aka: Super Storm) Sandy impacts Providence. EOC activated for 24 hours. Minimal damage to the City of Providence. No Presidential Disaster Declaration for Providence County issued.

December 8, 2012
PEMA conducted a free flu clinic at the Juanita Sanchez Complex on 182 Thurbers Avenue.

February 8, 2013
Winter Blizzard impacts Providence. EOC activated for 100 hours. Major Disaster Declared March, 22 2013 (DR-4107) for incident period: Friday, February 8, 2013 to Saturday, February 9, 2013.