Information and Tips: Connecting with State
Emergency Management Agencies
Every state has a government entity responsible for disaster and emergency management in their state. As each
state is unique, the division that supports state emergency management as well as its structure varies from state
to state.
As CNCS State Offices and State Service Commissions begin exploring a relationship with their State Emergency
Management Agency (EMA), the below information and tips may be helpful in identifying the right person to talk
to as well as how to start the conversation.
Where are State EMAs located in state government?
The departments where State EMAs are located vary from state to state. The chart below outlines where State
EMAS are located in every state (Source: National Emergency Management Association website):
Governor
# of States
States
9
Alabama
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Louisiana
Mississippi
Northern
Mariana Islands
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
Adjutant
General/Military
18
Alaska
Arizona
Hawaii
Idaho
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Maine
Maryland
Montana
Nebraska
North Dakota
Oregon
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Tennessee
Washington
Wisconsin
U.S. Virgin Islands
Combined Homeland
Security/Emergency Mgt.
11
American Samoa
Arkansas
California
Connecticut
District of Columbia
Guam
Indiana
Louisiana
New Mexico
New York
U.S. Virgin Islands
Public Safety
14
Colorado
Massachusetts
Minnesota
Missouri
Nevada
New Hampshire
North Carolina
Ohio
South Dakota
Texas
Utah
Virginia
Vermont
West Virginia
State
Police
2
Michigan
New Jersey
What are common names of State EMAs?
State EMAs vary by agency name in every state. To help you identify the right agency, the below are common
names to look for:
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Emergency Management Agency
Division of Homeland Security
Division/Department of Emergency Management
Civil Defense
CNCS Disaster Services Unit
DRAFT
September 2014
Who should I talk to at the State EMA?
Finding the right person to talk to about national service will likely be your biggest challenge. While State EMAs
typically are structured under the National Incident Management System (NIMS), in which section or division the
person that works with volunteers varies by state. When you try to identify the appropriate contact, the person
you are looking for is responsible for:


Volunteer and donations management
Coordinating and supporting voluntary agencies, faith based organizations, and nonprofits in disaster
response as well as non-response activity
In some states, there is a full time position designated to this role called the Voluntary Agency Liaison (VAL). If
your state has a VAL, this is definitely the person with whom to build a relationship. If you state does not have a
designated VAL, divisions within State EMAs that are responsible for managing volunteers and donations during
disasters include: Human Services Branch, Operations Section/Division, Logistics Section/Division.
If you are having challenges identifying the right person to talk to in your state, you can also reach out to your
FEMA Region VAL. The DSU can provide the contact information for your FEMA Region’s VAL.
What information should I share?
Once you’ve identified the right person to talk to, set up a meeting with the State EMA contact, the State Service
Commission, and the CNCS State Office. If possible, also invite a representative from your region’s AmeriCorps
NCCC campus. This meeting should be seen as an introduction to national service for the State EMA. Be
prepared to talk about the spectrum of the national service portfolio and what assets are available during times
of disaster. This conversation will be critical in the State EMA’s understanding of the variety of capabilities of
national service programs beyond the average volunteer.
Materials to bring to the meeting:
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
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National Service Assets in Disaster
(http://www.nationalservice.gov/sites/default/files/documents/At_a_Glance_National_Service_Assets_i
n_Disaster.pdf)
Disaster Services Brochure (http://www.nationalservice.gov/sites/default/files/upload/disasterpub.pdf)
Any state specific information, such as the locations of RSVP project sites, number of AmeriCorps
members in state, etc
Next Steps
Once you’ve had an introductory meeting, continue to build the relationship through follow up meetings and
information sharing. Work together to set goals within your state on how to engage national service in disaster
service activities. This could include:
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The State Service Commission being designated in the State Emergency Plan as the lead agency for
coordinating volunteers
A specific AmeriCorps or Senior Corps program being designated to establish and support Volunteer
Reception Centers
Engage in disaster related training events and simulations coordinated by the State EMA
Explore possible grantee opportunities with the State EMA to focus on a particular disaster issue area
CNCS Disaster Services Unit
DRAFT
September 2014