Fiscal Review and Controls Development

Our mission is to build resilience by empowering our communities, strengthening operational capabilities, and coordinating support before, during, and after emergencies.

The Department of Emergency Management (SMC EM) coordinates countywide preparedness, response, and protection services and activities for large-scale incidents and disasters. SMC EM is responsible for alerting, notifying, and coordinating with appropriate agencies within the county's 20 cities and unincorporated county areas when disaster strikes; coordinating all agencies that respond; ensuring resources are available and mobilized in times of disaster; developing plans and procedures in response to and recovery from disasters; and developing and providing preparedness materials for our residents.

The SMC EM staff maintains and operates a 17,500 square-foot Regional Operations Center , which serves as the Emergency Operations Center (EOC, a centralized location to facilitate a coordinated response during a major emergency or disaster.

DEM is funded through a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) between twenty cities and the County of San Mateo. The JPA is governed by an Emergency Services Council (ESC), which consists of one representative of each city and a member of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors. The ESC approves budgets and provides strategic direction.