Emergency management today is a coordinated partnership involving local, state, and federal agencies as well as volunteer organizations and the business community. Within an integrated emergency management framework, these various entities assist their communities to prepare for, respond to, recover from, and eliminate or reduce the effects of natural, civil, and technological emergencies and disasters. The emergency management structure that exists in the United States today has its roots in the civil defense efforts that arose during World War II in response to the possibility of an attack on the homeland. In the 1960' s, the field of emergency management began expanding and by the 1980’s the focus had widened to the multi-hazard approach that prevails today.

The Office of Emergency Management supports a regional all-hazards concept of disaster management and Homeland Security to protect lives and property, preserve the environment, and enhance the quality of life throughout Kane County. This will be accomplished through the coordination of programs that promote community planning, increase public awareness, and develop effective mitigation and response capabilities.