Browse the most commonly asked questions received by the Marshall County Emergency Management.
Did you know that Emergency Management is not a department of the county?
EM in Iowa is its own jurisdiction under Iowa Code 29.C. It is responsible for supporting the EM Commission which is comprised of equal votes from all cities, the county, and the sheriff in the county.
What agencies make up Iowa’s emergency management structure at the state, county, and local levels?
At the state level, the lead agency is the Iowa Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HSEMD). The governor appoints a Homeland Security Advisor and the HSEMD Director, who oversees coordination and grants. At the county level, each county has an emergency management commission (often composed of the board of supervisors, city councils, and the sheriff), which appoints a county EMA coordinator. The state is divided into six emergency management planning districts, and each district has a HSEMD planner to assist local EMAs.
The state is divided into six emergency management planning districts, and each district has a HSEMD planner to assist local EMAs.
What are the primary responsibilities of the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEMD)?
Coordinating statewide emergency management (planning, training, exercises). Administering federal and state grants for mitigation, preparedness, and recovery. Running the Alert Iowa system (public warning / notification). Leading hazard mitigation planning via the State Hazard Mitigation Plan. Managing the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) during emergencies. (In their emergency plan they describe coordinating communications and operations.)
What natural hazards pose the greatest risk to Iowa communities (e.g., flooding, tornadoes, drought)?
Iowa faces a variety of natural hazards, including:
Floods — especially in low-lying river areas.
Tornadoes — severe thunderstorms and tornado risk are significant.
Winter weather/blizzards — snowstorms and extreme winter conditions are part of the risk profile.
Derechos are fast-moving bands of thunderstorms with very strong winds, as Iowa has experienced.
Heat — high-heat events are also recognized hazards. Less common but possible: hazardous materials incidents, fires, and even cybersecurity threats.
