Emergency Management

By utilizing an all-hazards approach through mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery from disasters, we are able to respond more effectively and efficiently to the citizens of Longview during times of disasters.

The City of Longview is exposed to many hazards, which have the potential for disrupting the community, causing damage and creating casualties. Natural hazards include floods, tornadoes and severe storms. Longview also faces the threat of hazardous material accidents involving the transportation, manufacture and storage of chemicals on the highways and in the city's industrial areas.

To address these potential threats, the City develops an emergency management plan. This plan provides the framework upon which the City of Longview prepares for, responds to and performs its emergency response functions during times of natural or man-made disasters or national emergencies. The plan is based on the four phases of Emergency Management which are:

• Mitigation - Those activities which eliminate or reduce the probability of disaster.
• Preparedness - Those activities which governments, organizations and individuals develop to save lives and minimize damage.
• Response - Those actions to minimize loss of life and property damage and provide emergency assistance.
• Recovery - Those short and long-term activities which restore city operations and help return the community to a normal state.

When the City of Longview faces an emergency and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is activated, the division works with appropriate city departments as well as various county, state, and federal agencies to respond effectively and quickly provide for the continuity of services to the public.