Emergency Operations

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is a major Army command with a broad set of missions and capabilities. One of its missions is to provide assistance, within its authorities, when natural disasters or other emergencies occur.

Emergency preparedness and response is primarily a state and local responsibility. However, in instances when the nature of the disaster exceeds the capabilities of state and local interests, the Corps of Engineers may provide help to save human life, prevent immediate human suffering or mitigate property damage.

USACE gives emergency assistance top priority and provides immediate response using every resource and expedited procedure available. Assistance is limited to the preservation of life and the protection of residential and commercial developments, to include public and private facilities that provide public services. Exclusive assistance to individual homeowners and businesses, including agricultural businesses, is not authorized. Rehabilitation assistance may also be available for eligible flood control structures with public sponsors.

The geographically diverse location of USACE offices nationwide assures an immediate response to disasters in any area. The Corps is divided by drainage basins into regional divisions. The divisions are subdivided by smaller drainage basins into districts. Personnel are also assigned to various field offices scattered throughout each district. During disasters, personnel in any locale may be quickly mobilized to assist in response and recovery work.

Emergency Operations Managers have been appointed at each division and district to carry out all emergency actions. Each is responsible for maintaining an emergency organization of trained specialists. Most important, however, each district has a single point of contact for all emergency activities.

Disaster Preparedness

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is prepared to provide immediate and effective response and assistance during emergencies and disasters. The preparedness program includes an emergency management organization, planning, training, maintaining adequate supplies, tools and equipment and inspection program for non-Federal flood control structures.

Types of assistance provided by USACE:
  • Participation in emergency seminars and exercises when requested by state or local officials
  • Inspection of flood control works constructed or repaired by the Corps of Engineers and advisement to local officials of needed maintenance
  • Technical assistance for development of plans at the state and local level
  • Upon request, inspection of non-Federal dams and flood control projects

Criteria for USACE assistance

: State and local governments are responsible for emergency preparedness, including training and stock-piling of flood fighting supplies and materials. The role of the Corps of Engineers is to supplement the maximum efforts of the state and local authorities during an emergency.

For more help, contact the local Corps of Engineers District Office.

 

Contact Us

Detroit District, Emergency Operations Center
6309 W. Jefferson Ave.
Detroit, MI  48209

Phone: (313) 226-1323
Email: CELRE-EOC@usace.army.mil