EMAP Accreditation recognizes excellence in emergency preparedness and coordination

CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OH - The Cuyahoga County Office of Emergency Management has once again maintained accreditation through the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP), recognizing the County’s commitment to meeting nationally recognized standards for emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. This is the County’s second 5-year reaccreditation, showing a continuous commitment to excellence in emergency readiness.

EMAP accreditation is a high honor awarded to emergency management programs and urban search and rescue task forces that showcase their compliance with the Emergency Management Standard certified by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). This achievement complies with EMAP’s mission to build safer communities through credible standards of excellence.

“Completing the rigorous steps of maintaining EMAP accreditation reflects the tremendous amount of work that goes into ensuring Cuyahoga County is prepared to respond when our communities and residents need us most,” said Brandy Carney, Cuyahoga County Director of Public Safety and Justice Services. “This recognition validates the strong planning, coordination and partnerships that exist across our emergency management system, while also reinforcing our commitment to constantly updating and improving our policies and operating procedures.”

“We congratulate Cuyahoga County on achieving EMAP accreditation—an accomplishment that reflects not only their dedication to preparedness and coordination, but also their commitment to continuous improvement,” said Jody Ferguson, Chair of the EMAP Commission and former Director of Pierce County, Washington Emergency Management. “By meeting rigorous national standards, Cuyahoga County demonstrates strong leadership and an unwavering commitment to the communities and stakeholders they serve.”

These programs demonstrate accountability and continually identify areas for improvement to ensure they are prepared for any disaster – whether natural or technical. EMAP accreditation is not only an achievement, but a promise – a promise to maintain the highest level of service and readiness for the communities these programs serve.

Accreditation is achieved by a comprehensive evaluation process that includes self-assessment, documentation, and peer review to confirm the program’s alignment with the Emergency Management Standard. The Standard serves as a tool for those seeking to enhance their disaster preparedness and response systems. Accreditation is valid for five years. Programs must maintain compliance and undergo reassessments to retain their accredited status.