Information for Town Emergency Managers

Under 20 V.S.A.§ 6 , each Vermont town and city must establish a local organization for emergency management that is in compliance with the state’s emergency management plan and program.

The Emergency Management Director (EMD) is an appointed individual in each town or city who has direct responsibility for the organization, administration, and coordination of the local organization for emergency management, subject to the direction and control of the executive officer or legislative branch. An Emergency Management Coordinator (EMC) may be appointed to support the work of the Emergency Management Director (EMD).

Generally, the Emergency Management Director:

• manages the local emergency management organization, including the identification of the resources and organization that would be used to support incident command;
• manages the creation and annual maintenance of the Local Emergency Management Plan;
• manages the maintenance of the Local Emergency Operations Center if necessary;
• facilitates Emergency Management meetings with municipal stakeholders to discuss current emergency management plans, organization, equipment, training, and exercises;
• coordinates citizen preparedness initiatives;
• coordinates volunteer recruitment;
• participates in the creation of the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan;
• participates in the Emergency Manager Certification program offered by Vermont Emergency Management; and,
• if determined necessary, appoints an Emergency Management Coordinator to assist in executing any of these responsibilities.

 Emergency Manager Director (EMD) Certification Program

In an effort to provide local emergency management organizations with the basic knowledge to effectively manage local disasters, the state emergency management program has recently updated its Emergency Management Certification Program.

The updated EMD Certification Program includes 70 hours of blended learning curriculum (EMD Certification Curriculum)

Upon completion of all the curriculum requirements, individuals will be:

• Presented with a State of Vermont Emergency Management Director Certificate
• Highlighted as Certified Vermont Emergency Management Directors on the Vermont Emergency Management website and recognized at the annual Vermont Emergency Preparedness Conference.
• Eligible to receive the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Professional Development Series Certification.