Our Mission
The Baltimore City Office of Emergency Management (OEM) maintains the highest level of preparedness to protect Baltimore’s residents, workers, visitors, and environment from the impacts of natural and man-made disasters. OEM prepares the City and the public for emergencies while coordinating interagency response and recovery efforts. To achieve this mission, OEM implements a comprehensive program of disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
Our Vision
- Well-prepared households and businesses
- Resilient communities
- Integrated, efficient, and rapid response and recovery
Our Five Critical Mission Areas
Mission Area | Description |
| Prevention | Prevent, avoid or stop an imminent, threatened or actual act of terrorism. |
| Preparedness | Conduct risk assessments, train personnel, and develop plans to protect residents, visitors, and assets against the greatest threats and hazards in a manner that allows our interests, aspirations and way of life to thrive. |
| Mitigation | Reduce the loss of life and property by lessening the impact of future disasters. |
| Response | Respond quickly to save lives, protect property and the environment, and meet basic human needs in the aftermath of a catastrophic incident. |
| Recovery | Recover by quickly rebuilding and improving things like roads, homes, and the economy. We also work to restore the health, history, culture, environment, and social life of communities after a major disaster. |
The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) runs the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). This is the main place where city leaders, nonprofits, and private groups come together during big events, emergencies, or disasters. At the EOC, they make important decisions, set priorities, and share resources to help the city respond and recover. OEM also gives extra support at the scene of emergencies when needed.