Office of Emergency Management (OEM)

Office of Emergency Management (OEM)

The Essex County Sheriff’s Office – Office of Emergency Management (ECSO OEM) works closely with all Essex County municipalities, all public safety disciplines, and critical private/public sector entities to engage in comprehensive disaster planning for Essex County. In addition to serving as a liaison to local, county, state, and federal agencies, the ECSO OEM also serves as a liaison to utility companies and private sector companies within our region. These partners are key players who help support response and recovery efforts during emergencies.

Following the outbreak of Covid-19 in 2020, the ECSO OEM has played a vital role in Essex County’s Coronavirus response plan. Sheriff Armando Fontoura and the ECSO OEM have overseen the development and security of the county’s Covid testing facilities, developed a state-of-the-art tracing unit to help identify members of the community who may be at risk, and built a specialized task force to contribute to Essex County’s Covid-19 Vaccine rollout.

The ECSO OEM’s goal is to mitigate, prepare for, respond to and recover from the effects of natural or man-made disasters and other hazards or emergencies that may occur within our region. The ECSO OEM maintains or facilitates the updating of more than 100 plans, annexes, appendices, and supporting documents that guide preparedness, response, and mitigation activities that can be applied to any disaster or emergency affecting the region.