Frequently Asked Questions

What is Emergency Management?

Emergency Management is the coordination of resources, planning, training, response, recovery, and mitigation efforts before, during, and after disasters or emergencies affecting the community.

Licking County Emergency Management Agency works with local fire departments, law enforcement, public health, schools, hospitals, utilities, and government agencies to prepare for and respond to emergencies such as:

  • Severe weather
  • Tornadoes
  • Flooding
  • Hazardous material incidents
  • Long-term power outages
  • Public health emergencies
  • Winter storms
  • Large-scale planned community events

Residents can receive emergency notifications through local alerting systems, weather radios, local news outlets, and mobile emergency alerts. It is recommended that all residents enable Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on their phones.

If a tornado warning is issued:

  • Seek shelter immediately
  • Go to the lowest level of a building
  • Stay away from windows
  • Use a basement or interior room if possible
  • Protect your head and neck
  • Monitor weather updates until the warning expires
  • Watch: Conditions are favorable for severe weather or another hazard to develop.
  • Warning: The hazard is occurring or imminent. Take action immediately.

Licking County Emergency Management Agency coordinates with partner agencies and organizations to support emergency sheltering during disasters when necessary.  Red Cross manages any disaster shelters within Licking County.

Every family should have:

  • An emergency supply kit
  • A communication plan
  • Important documents stored safely
  • At least 72 hours of supplies (Food, water and medicines)
  • Flashlights and batteries.  Candles are not recommended.

Recommended emergency kit items include:

  • Water (1 gallon per person per day minimum)
  • Non-perishable food (don’t forget a can opener)
  • Flashlights
  • Batteries
  • First aid kit
  • Medications
  • Portable phone chargers
  • Blankets
  • Weather radio
  • Hygiene supplies

Businesses should develop:

  • Emergency action plans
  • Evacuation procedures
  • Continuity of operations plans (COOP)
  • Employee accountability procedures
  • Backup communication systems

Residents interested in volunteering can contact Licking County Emergency Management Agency regarding opportunities involving:

  • Disaster response support
  • Shelter operations
  • Damage assessment
  • Community outreach
  • EOC Operations

No. Routine emergency calls should still go through 911. Emergency Management primarily coordinates large-scale incidents, disasters, and county-wide emergency operations.

  • Stay away from the area
  • Follow directions from emergency officials
  • Shelter in place or evacuate if instructed
  • Avoid touching unknown substances
  • Monitor local emergency information sources

During major incidents, agencies may operate through the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), where multiple agencies coordinate resources, communications, and decision-making.

Emergency Management may assist with:

  • Damage assessment of properties in the county
  • Resource coordination
  • Recovery information
  • State and federal assistance coordination
  • Public information updates

Licking County Emergency Management Agency may provide preparedness presentations, exercises, and emergency planning support for schools, businesses, churches, and community groups.

  • Stay off roads unless necessary
  • Keep emergency supplies available
  • Monitor weather updates
  • Dress in layers
  • Prevent carbon monoxide exposure by properly ventilating generators and heaters

Residents should monitor:

  • Local news stations
  • NOAA Weather Radio
  • Official county social media pages
  • EMA X feed at @LCountyEMA
  • Emergency alert systems (WEA and IPAWS)
  • Public safety announcements
  • Register for the County Hyper-Reach system

Mitigation includes actions taken to reduce disaster risks before emergencies occur, such as:

  • Floodplain management
  • Storm shelter planning
  • Infrastructure improvements
  • Hazard planning
  • Updating building codes
  • Public education

For non-emergency questions, preparedness information, training requests, or volunteer opportunities, contact:

Licking County Emergency Management Agency

  • Office Hours: Monday–Friday
  • Phone: 740-670-5542
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Emergency: Dial 911 for emergencies only

First, damage assessments only include damage to the primary residence.  Let us know what damage you have by documenting it with photos and sending them to LC-EMA!lickingcounty.gov.  If we need to do a formal assessment, we will be in touch.

If we have enough damage throughout the county, we will submit the damage assessments to the state.  IF they see enough damage throughout the state they will submit it to the federal government.  The key is uninsured losses.  Which means if you are insured, this should be the primary path for reimbursement.

The sirens are triggered automatically by any Tornado Warning in the county.  The siren must be physically located inside of the “warning box” for the siren to sound.  As the warning box moves, the sirens will turn on/off accordingly.

Please let us know at [email protected].  The sirens are owned by the individual townships and municipalities, and they are responsible for maintaining them.  The 911 Center is responsible for their testing and activation during a Tornado Warning.

Yes, we can help you with information and one-on-one guidance to become better prepared.  Send us an email at [email protected] with your request.

Scroll to Top