November 6, 2015

The City of Philadelphia received exciting news within the past few weeks as it was announced its Emergency Management Program has earned accreditation from nationally recognized standard-bearers.

The Emergency Management Accreditation Program, or EMAP, provides state and local government emergency management programs that coordinate preparedness and disaster response an opportunity to be evaluated in 16 areas for compliance with industry standards.

EMAP’s “Seal of Approval” means Philadelphia has proven its capability in disaster preparedness and response systems put in place for its first responders and citizens. What it means for the residents of Philadelphia is that their preparedness and safety are top concern for officials and first responders and that they are prepared.

The City has had its share of high profile events in 2015, both planned and emergency, which highlighted the focus of having preparedness drills and plans in place. The response to the May Amtrak 188 crash and September’s World Meeting of Families and Pope Francis visit are examples of emergency response plans put into action.

Philadelphia’s Office of Emergency Management submitted its program for review during the summer, an extremely busy time given planning for Pope Francis’ visit. In late October, EMAP returned over 100 pages of evaluation from seven of the country’s top emergency managers saying the City has achieved compliance with all 64 of the organization’s standards.

Philadelphia was one of 13 programs to receive accreditation last month and becomes the largest municipality in the United States to do so.

Barb Graff, Director of Seattle Office of Emergency Management and Chair of the EMAP Commission says, “These programs demonstrate, through accreditation and re-accreditation, a commitment and desire to prove to their communities their safety is the priority. In continuing the validation of emergency management programs we see more Programs achieve accreditation, maintain accreditation, and utilize it as an evaluating tool in testing emergency management programs to the Emergency Management Standard; thus further strengthening our Nation’s preparedness.”