Emergency Management Agency

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To provide Jennings County residents, businesses and industries, non-profit organizations, and local governments the education and support necessary to reduce the loss of life and human suffering; to minimize property damage; and to protect environmentally sensitive areas from all types of disasters through a comprehensive, risk-based, all-hazard emergency management program. To coordinate activities to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.

Vision Statement

The goal of the Jennings County Emergency Management Agency is to educate the citizens and organizations of Jennings County about their ongoing role in preparing for emergencies through education, community outreach, and training. Through creating an increased emphasis on disaster preparedness, the Jennings County Emergency Management Agency looks forward to reinforcing interdepartmental communications and cooperation throughout our County. By creating a community culture of preparedness and fostering partnerships with local public and private groups and businesses, it is our goal that Jennings County will work as a community to effectively and efficiently respond to and recover from disaster; either man made or natural. 

  In February of 2007 severe winter weather conditions struck a majority of our state. The news media was advising the public of the various county level travel advisories and snow emergencies. There was a considerable amount of confusion regarding the various travel and snow emergencies due to differing terms used in each county.

   After the winter storm, the media requested Homeland Security to address these issues and after considerable input and feedback from EMA directors the travel advisory map was created. The travel advisory levels reflected here are in no way associated with a disaster declaration signed by county commissioners and filed with the clerk's office as outlined in Indiana Code Title 10.

   These travel advisory levels are strictly associated with travel. These levels can be used at anytime to advise the public of necessary travel advisory restrictions regardless of circumstance. There are three travel advisory levels. The terminology used and their meanings are listed below. This terminology was designed to closely mirror the terminology use by the National Weather Service. Travel advisories are covered under IC 10-14-3-5.5 of the Indiana Code. 

   Advisory - The lowest level of local travel advisory, means routine travel or activities may be restricted in areas because of a hazardous situation, and individuals should use caution or avoid those areas.

  Watch - Means that conditions are threatening to the safety of the public. During a "watch" local travel advisory, only essential travel, such as to and from work or in emergency situations is recommended. Emergency action plans should be implemented by businesses, schools, government agencies, and other organizations.       Warning - The highest level of local travel advisory, means that travel may be restricted to emergency management workers only. During a "warning" local travel advisory, individuals are directed to:  (A) refrain from all travel; (B) comply with necessary emergency measures; (C) cooperate with public officials and disaster services forces in executing emergency operations plans; and (D) obey and comply with the lawful directions of properly identified officers.  Further restrictions may be included in a "warning" local travel advisory.  Advisory and Watch levels of local travel advisories may be issued by the Emergency Management Director or the principal executive officer of a political subdivision. In Jennings County that refers to Mayors and County Commissioners.  Warning level local travel advisories may be issued only after the principal executive officer of a political subdivision (Mayors or Commissioners) have signed a disaster declaration as per chapter 29 of the Indiana Code Title 10.