Ohio Administrative Code 4501:3 — Department of Public Safety | Emergency Management Agency

Chapter 4501:3-1 General Provisions

Ohio Adm.Code 4501:3-1-01 Public notice.

The procedure of the Ohio emergency management agency for giving public notice of meetings, when required by section 121.22 of the Revised Code, shall be as follows:

(A) The public information office of the Ohio emergency management agency will post the notice and agenda of such meetings on the Ohio emergency management agency division of the Ohio department of public safety website and on bulletin boards at the Ohio emergency management agency division emergency operations center, at least three days prior to the scheduled meeting date.

(B) Any person may determine the time, place, and purpose of such meetings by:

(1) Writing to the following address: "Ohio Emergency Management Agency, 2855 West Dublin-Granville Road, Columbus, Ohio, 43235-2206, or"

(2) Calling the following telephone number during regular business hours: (614) 889-7150, or

(3) Consulting the Ohio emergency management agency division of the Ohio department of public safety website at www.ema.ohio.gov.

(C) Any representative of the news media may obtain notice of all such meetings by making a written request that such notice be provided. Such notice will be given to only one representative of each media outlet. A request for such notice shall be sent to the address listed in paragraph (B)(1) of this rule.

(1) The request shall provide contact information for one representative. The public information office of the Ohio emergency management agency shall maintain a distribution list of all media representatives who have requested notice of meetings pursuant to this rule.

(2) The public information office of the Ohio emergency management agency shall distribute the notice and agenda for any such meetings at least three days in advance of the meeting, to all persons on the distribution list, by the means requested by each representative.

Last updated October 23, 2023 at 1:08 PM

History

• Effective: October 1, 2016
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

Chapter 4501:3-2 State Organization

Ohio Adm.Code 4501:3-2-01 State organization.

(A) The executive director for emergency management is hereby authorized, pursuant to the provisions of section 5502.22 of the Revised Code, to maintain the state emergency management agency adequate to the needs of the state, including appropriate staff by geographical locations, having due consideration for budgetary limitations and available funds.

(B) In accordance with the authority contained in section 5502.22 of the Revised Code, the emergency management agency located within the department of public safety shall have power and authority to receive and disburse state and federal funds for the purposes authorized for local emergency management agencies established under section 5502.26, 5502.27 or 5502.271 of the Revised Code.

(C) Each emergency management agency, established in accordance with sections 5502.26, 5502.27, or 5502.271 of the Revised Code and these rules, shall carry out the directions, orders, regulations, rules, and procedures promulgated by the executive director for emergency management, not inconsistent with the laws of this state, these rules, and applicable federal laws and regulations. Reports, as are called for at the time and in the forms established by the executive director for emergency management, shall be submitted.

(D) The officers and personnel of all departments, offices, and agencies of political subdivisions shall cooperate in emergency management and emergency preparedness with their respective emergency management officials and agencies, accept and execute their assignments of responsibility for emergency response as indicated in the jurisdiction's emergency operations plan and associated operating procedures, guidance or guidelines, and shall extend their services and facilities to such emergency management officials and agencies upon request, insofar as possible, without withdrawing from the political subdivisions the minimum services and facilities needed by that political subdivision.

Last updated October 23, 2023 at 1:08 PM

History

• Effective: October 1, 2016
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

Chapter 4501:3-3 Local Organization

Ohio Adm.Code 4501:3-3-01 Local organizations.

(A) Each political subdivision shall create a local capability for emergency management. This capability may be established by participation in a countywide agency formed under section 5502.26 of the Revised Code, a regional authority formed under section 5502.27 of the Revised Code, by contract with a county under section 5502.271 of the Revised Code, or by forming a local political subdivision program under section 5502.271 of the Revised Code. Each political subdivision may make appropriations for the payment of expenses to develop such capability, including but not limited to, reimbursement to those individuals serving without compensation for reasonable and necessary expenses in the performance of their duties.

(B) A county may meet the requirement of section 5502.271 of the Revised Code by contracting with the chief executives of each participating political subdivision pursuant to section 307.15 of the Revised Code. Said county shall have an agency and a director who shall be employed by the county and shall be governed by the terms of the contract between the county and the political subdivisions, and all other applicable local laws, regulations, and/or ordinances.

(C) The officers and personnel of all departments, offices, and agencies of the political subdivision shall cooperate in emergency management and emergency preparedness with their respective emergency management officials and agencies, accept and execute their assignments of responsibility for emergency response as indicated in the jurisdiction's emergency operations plan and associated operating procedures, guidance or guidelines, and shall extend their services and facilities to such emergency management officials and agencies upon request, insofar as possible, without withdrawing from the political subdivisions the minimum services and facilities needed by that political subdivision.

Last updated October 23, 2023 at 1:08 PM

History

• Effective: October 1, 2016
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

Chapter 4501:3-4 Emergency Management Funding

Ohio Adm.Code 4501:3-4-01 Emergency management funding.

(A) The executive director of the Ohio emergency management agency shall cooperate with local emergency management agencies in the receipt and disbursement of federal grants, pursuant to the terms and conditions thereof. The executive director of the Ohio emergency management agency shall provide reimbursement of allowable emergency management expenditures to local emergency management agencies which are eligible to receive federal funds in support of local emergency management activities.

(B) The executive director of the Ohio emergency management agency shall annually publish the program guidelines by which available federal and state funds in support of local emergency management agencies may be distributed to the participating, eligible local emergency management agencies.

(C) Each local emergency management agency receiving federal or state funds shall submit its annual certified budget to the executive director of the Ohio emergency management agency as requested.

Last updated October 23, 2023 at 1:08 PM

History

• Effective: October 1, 2016
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

Chapter 4501:3-5 Training

Ohio Adm.Code 4501:3-5-01 Training.

(A) Sections 5502.26, 5502.27, and 5502.271 of the Revised Code require each director of an emergency management agency for a political subdivision to pursue a professional development program in accordance with rules developed under section 5502.25 of the Revised Code. Directors appointed shall acquire training as defined by the Ohio emergency management agency and maintain a record to be made available upon request from Ohio EMA, including in the following areas:

(1) The "Introduction to Emergency Management in Ohio Course (OH-230)" for directors appointed after June 30, 2016.

(2) One emergency planning course conducted by the federal emergency management agency, Ohio emergency management agency, rural domestic preparedness consortium, or the national domestic preparedness consortium.

(3) One exercise design course conducted by the federal emergency management agency, Ohio emergency management agency, rural domestic preparedness consortium, or the national domestic preparedness consortium.

(4) One disaster recovery course conducted by the federal emergency management agency, Ohio emergency management agency, rural domestic preparedness consortium, or the national domestic preparedness consortium.

(5) After completion of the courses set forth in paragraphs (A)(1) to (A)(4) of this rule, a minimum of two refresher or continuing education courses annually.

(B) The Ohio emergency management agency shall conduct a minimum of two seminars each year to update local emergency management agency directors on changes to or new topics in emergency management. Each local emergency management agency director shall attend both of these seminars each year. Requests for excused absences from these two update seminars shall be submitted in writing to the executive director of the Ohio emergency management agency and considered on a case-by-case basis.

(C) The executive director of the Ohio emergency management agency shall annually publish a training catalog announcing courses available for directors of political subdivision emergency management agencies.

(D) Upon assuming the position of director of emergency management for a political subdivision, the individual shall complete, or have completed, the required courses listed in paragraphs (A)(1) to (A)(4) of this rule within a three-year period from the date of appointment.

Last updated March 7, 2022 at 10:34 AM

History

• Effective: March 5, 2022
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

Chapter 4501:3-6 Emergency Operation Plans

Ohio Adm.Code 4501:3-6-01 Emergency operations plans and exercises.

(A) Each local emergency management agency shall be responsible for maintaining current its emergency operations plan, by reviewing and updating it annually. Each emergency operations plan shall be authorized by the chief executive officer and shall be consistent with published federal and state guidance and emergency operations plans.

(B) Any political subdivision within a county which forms its own emergency management agency as required by section 5502.271 of the Revised Code shall submit its emergency operations plan to the county agency as required by section 5502.26 of the Revised Code or to the regional authority formed under section 5502.27 of the Revised Code, or the county emergency management agency formed under section 5502.271 of the Revised Code for the county in which the political subdivision is located, for initial review and annual review every year thereafter. Said county agency, countywide agency, or regional authority may establish procedures for the review of said local plans.

(C) Each political subdivision shall be responsible for maintaining current its emergency operations plan and shall keep its plan consistent with the emergency operations plan of a county under section 5502.271 of the Revised Code, a countywide agency formed under section 5502.26 of the Revised Code, or a regional authority formed under section 5502.27 of the Revised Code, for the county in which the political subdivision is located.

(D) A political subdivision that is not a part of a countywide agency formed under section 5502.26 of the Revised Code, or a regional authority formed under section 5502.27 of the Revised Code, or has not entered into a contract with a county agency formed under section 5502.271 of the Revised Code, cannot be a multijurisdictional agency. The director of the agency of the political subdivision will serve only the political subdivision for which appointed. Said agency and its director shall have no authority to coordinate multijurisdictional planning or actual hazard response beyond the boundary of the political subdivision for which it was formed with the exception of mutual aid agreements established pursuant to section 5502.29 of the Revised Code.

(E) Each local emergency management agency shall participate in the state's annual multi-year training and exercise planning workshop. As such, each county is required to provide to the state emergency management agency, in accordance with the state's instruction on the matter, a listing of scheduled or desired training and exercise events relevant to the jurisdiction's emergency operations plan and the evaluation of preparedness for identified hazards and risks within the political subdivision covered by the emergency operations plan.

(F) The Ohio emergency management agency will conduct a comprehensive county emergency operations plans review, identifying gaps and planning considerations on emergency measures that are essential for protecting the public, once every four years. Assistance will be provided upon request of the local jurisdiction to ensure adherence to the requirement for emergency operations plan maintenance.

Last updated March 7, 2022 at 10:35 AM

History

• Effective: March 5, 2022
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

Chapter 4501:3-7 Volunteer Registration

Ohio Adm.Code 4501:3-7-01 Registration of volunteers.

[Materials incorporated by reference available at www.ema.ohio.gov and www.odh.ohio.gov]

(A) To be registered as a volunteer under section 5502.281 of the Revised Code, an individual must:

(1) Be no less than eighteen years of age;

(2) Complete the "Volunteer Application" (2020); and

(3) Be willing to submit to a comprehensive background check administered by the Ohio bureau of criminal investigation or other designated agency;

(a) Background checks will be at the discretion of the affiliated registered volunteer organization;

(b) During a response incident, a local government authority may also request a background check.

(B) Removal of registered volunteer status. A volunteer shall lose their registered volunteer status if:

(1) The status was obtained through false or deceitful information;

(2) The registered volunteer engages in conduct detrimental to the goals and/or missions of the recognized volunteer organization, or conduct that is inconsistent with an emergency and/or disaster-related exercises, testing, or other training activities; or

(3) The registered volunteer fails to maintain compliance with any of the requirements under paragraph (A) of this rule.

Last updated March 7, 2022 at 10:35 AM

History

• Effective: March 5, 2022
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

Ohio Adm.Code 4501:3-7-02 Registration of volunteer organizations.

[Materials incorporated by reference available at www.ema.ohio.gov and odh.ohio.gov]

(A) An organization must apply to become a registered volunteer organization in the Ohio volunteer registry in the prescribed manner:

(1) Ohio volunteer organization active in disaster (VOAD) affiliated organization:

(a) Current, full member organizations of the Ohio VOAD association are considered Ohio volunteer registry eligible volunteer organizations;

(b) VOAD organizations must be vetted by the Ohio department of health and/or the Ohio emergency management agency for the organizations to be considered to be listed on the Ohio volunteer registry;

(c) Ohio VOAD organizations may be listed at www.ema.ohio.gov and www.odh.ohio.gov ;

(2) Non VOAD organizations:

(a) Non VOAD organizations must be vetted by the Ohio department of health and/or the Ohio emergency management agency for the organization to be considered to be listed on the Ohio volunteer registry;

(b) Organizations listed on the Ohio volunteer registry are consider registered volunteer organizations;

(3) Community emergency response team/citizen corps and medical reserve corps programs registered in the Ohio volunteer registry must also register on the affiliated federal emergency management agency and health and human services registries.

(B) A volunteer organization will lose its registered status if:

(1) It is a VOAD organization and loses its full Ohio VOAD member status. An organization that ceases to be a member of Ohio VOAD can apply to retain its registered status by applying to the Ohio emergency management agency as described in paragraph (A)(2)(a) of this rule;

(2) Registration status was obtained through false or deceitful information;

(3) The registered volunteer organization demonstrates conduct inconsistent with that of a registered volunteer organization serving in an emergency/or disaster-related exercises, testing, or other training activities. Such conduct shall be construed by the Ohio department of health or the Ohio emergency management agency, and may include any conduct deemed detrimental to the goals and missions of the Ohio department of health or the Ohio emergency management agency.

Last updated March 7, 2022 at 10:35 AM

History

• Effective: March 5, 2022
• Promulgated Under: 119.03