This plan, which is updated every five years, provides County officials and emergency responders with a framework for preparing for, responding to, and recovering from major emergencies and disasters. When the plan is activated, emergency response agencies are integrated into a common emergency management organization.

This plan is a guide and does not carry the force of law. It is a management statement intended to define the interlocking roles of County personnel and to encourage cooperation and coordination among multiple jurisdictions. Nothing in this plan is intended to discourage field personnel from exercising discretionary authority in problem solving.

The overarching goal of this plan is to reduce the vulnerability of the citizens of Jackson County to the human suffering, property damage, and financial losses that can result from emergencies.