Provo City

City Planning and Response


Provo City’s emergency management approach involves a comprehensive way of coordinating city departments and other community resources in case of an emergency.
 

The City Organization


By law, the ultimate responsibility for planning and responding to disasters rests with Provo’s Mayor. To enhance communication and coordination, the Mayor has appointed three committees with operational and planning responsibilities for emergencies.

The Emergency Management Executive Committee has overall responsibility for emergency preparedness and response in the City. The committee has representatives of the major functions involved in a city wide emergency: Fire, Police, Safety and Public Communications. The Executive Committee’s responsibilities include:

  • Maintain the Emergency Management Plan in a current state
  • Develop, approve and disseminate emergency preparedness information to City departments and to the public
  • Secure grants for emergency related equipment and services
  • Coordinate training of appropriate city employees in emergency management issues
  • Manage the Emergency Operations Center when needed; keep the EOC in a state of readiness
  • Manage and coordinate periodic emergency management plan exercises
  • Coordinate efforts with Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), Utah Valley Regional Medical Center and BYU
     

The Hazards Subcommittee works closely with the Executive Committee and provides specific direction on the various emergency hazards in Provo including seismic activity, weather related hazards, (flooding, snow and ice emergencies, wind events), wildfire, debris flow, and terrorism. This committee has representatives from Public Works, Police, Fire, Energy, and Parks and Recreation. Basic responsibilities include:

  • Monitor changing conditions with regard to specific hazards.
  • Provide information to assist the Executive Committee, the City and its residents in preparing for hazard specific emergencies
  • Recommend modifications as needed to the Emergency Management Plan
     

The Resources Committee also works collaboratively with the Executive Committee and provides access to various resources that would be needed in the community in case of a disaster. The committee is composed of representatives from city departments such as finance, information systems, human resources, and community development as well as from community-based organizations. This committee is charged to:

  • Monitor and be aware of community resources that could be available in an emergency.
  • Recommend modifications as needed to the Emergency Management Plan
  • Receive training and maintain information concerning coordinating resources with other levels of government
     

Provo’s Emergency Plan


The City of Provo has a comprehensive plan for dealing with emergencies and disasters within Provo. The plan is based on three levels of emergency and addresses steps to be taken depending on the severity and the geographic area of the emergency. The plan is reviewed annually and updated under the direction of the Emergency Management Executive Committee.
 

Emergency Operations Center


Provo’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is located on the City Center Campus on West Center Street in Provo. The EOC is activated in the case of any serious emergency, and is equipped with communications equipment and other supplies necessary to respond to any emergency. The EOC is tested periodically to make sure it is always ready for activation when needed. It is also ready to be used as a Joint Operations Center with federal or state agencies should the situation require.