Emergency Management in York County, Nebraska

Gary Petersen
Emergency Management
[email protected]
(402) 362-7744

510 N. Lincoln Avenue - Basement
York, NE 68467
Fax: (866) 337-0951
Schedule varies, please call for appointment

The mission of the York County Emergency Management is to provide a comprehensive and integrated emergency management system that coordinates community resources to protect lives, property and the environment through mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery from all natural and man-made hazards that my impact our county.

What we do:

Coordinate Emergency Management Activities for York County.
Maintain and update the county's Local Emergency Operations Plan (LEOP), Hazards, Vulnerability Analysis and Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Activate and staff the county Emergency Operations Center.
Work with other county, city, town, departments, agencies and response agencies to develop a variety of related emergency plans, procedures and guidelines.
Serve as the focal point for coordination and liaison of activities between local, state and federal government in the response to and recovery from major emergencies/disasters.
Maintain and operate the county's Emergency Operations Center.
Monitor severe weather watches, warnings and special statements issued by the National Weather Service.
Serve as Director of Information for the Seward/York County Local Emergency Planning Committee.
Provide assistance and support to all public safety agencies, government entities and private sector partners through planning, training and exercising.
Provide Continuity of Operations Planning information and guidance.
Gather and disseminate information to the public, media and local government agencies to assist in preparation, response, recovery and mitigation for major emergencies and disasters.
Comply with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Nebraska Emergency management Agency (NEMA) requirements for receipt and management of grant funding.

When severe weather strikes, tune into KTMX FM 104.9 for weather updates.

Siren Notifications:

Tornado: Long steady siren in one tone for three minutes. There is never an all clear signal. If sirens sound again there is another warning.
Fire: Alternating high/low tone for approximately three minutes.

Listen to the different siren tones below:

Tornado Siren

Fire Rescue Siren

Mitigation:

There are no designated tornado shelters in York County. It is the responsibility of residents to have a plan for severe weather. Installing a safe room* is one way to be protected from a tornado or high winds.

A safe room is a hardened structure specifically designed to meet the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) criteria and provide "near-absolute protection" in extreme weather events, including tornadoes. Near-absolute protection means that, based on our current knowledge of tornadoes, the occupants of a safe room built in accordance with FEMA guidance will have a very high probability of being protected from injury or death. For more information, contact Gary Petersen.