Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Management

Mission

It is the mission of Montgomery County OEMHS to prevent, protect against. plan and prepare for natural and man-made hazards that may threaten, disrupt, or harm our communities, commerce, and institutions and to effectively manage and coordinate the County’s unified response and recovery from the consequences of such disasters.

Vision

Our vision is to have a comprehensive emergency management program that incorporates prevention, protection, preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation to promote disaster resilient communities. Montgomery County, in partnership with state and municipal governments, the private and nonprofit sectors, communities, and residents will work to develop a strong, secure, and resilient Montgomery County that is capable of protecting against major threats that may harm, disrupt, or destroy our communities, commerce, and institutions. A resilient Montgomery County will effectively manage its unified response, mitigation, support and recovery from the consequences of such disasters or events. Fundamental to this vision is cooperation between Montgomery County’s municipalities and departments, particularly those that participate within the Emergency Management Group (EMG), to achieve our goal of protecting county residents, critical infrastructure, and key resources and to respond and recover from incidents that may occur.

Leadership

Luke J. Hodgson, MS, MA, CEM 
Director, OEMHS 

Nicole Markuski, MS, MEP
Deputy Director, OEMHS 


Chuck Magee
Division Chief, Risk Reduction and Resilience, OEMHS 


Vacant
Division Chief, Preparedness and Outreach, OEMHS 

Contact: [email protected]

 

Divisions


Risk Reduction and Resilience Division
The Risk Reduction and Resilience Division is dedicated to protecting our community by proactively identifying and mitigating risks while enhancing our capacity to respond to and recover from emergencies.
 
Our key programs, including the flood sensor network, Mesonet system, and Alert Montgomery program, provide critical real-time data and timely notifications to safeguard lives and property. We lead comprehensive hazard mitigation and climate adaptation efforts to address current and future challenges, ensuring long-term community resilience.
 
Additionally, the division oversees debris management and damage assessment operations, facilitating efficient and effective recovery efforts. Through these initiatives, Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (OEMHS) remains committed to fostering a safer, more resilient environment for all residents.
 
Mission Support
The Mission Support Division is integral to the emergency management framework, providing essential administrative and financial oversight. This division manages grants administration, ensuring the effective acquisition and stewardship of funding to support county initiatives. It also leads outgoing grants, such as the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, to better prepare the community for emergencies.
 
In addition, the division oversees department budget development and management, aligning resources to meet operational priorities and sustain critical programs. The division also coordinates with the state on individual and public assistance programs, facilitating timely support and recovery services for residents affected by disasters.
 
Through these functions, the Mission Support Division ensures the efficient and accountable delivery of vital resources that strengthen Montgomery County’s emergency preparedness and response capabilities.
 
Preparedness and Outreach Division
The Preparedness and Outreach Division leads efforts to enhance community readiness and resilience through comprehensive training, planning, and engagement. This division oversees the Emergency Management Group (EMG), a multi-disciplinary team of county employees and community members who come together to plan for and respond to emergencies. It also coordinates robust training and exercise programs, and spearheads critical infrastructure protection (CIP) initiatives.
 
The division also directs continuity of operations planning (COOP) to ensure essential county services remain uninterrupted during emergencies. Through proactive community outreach, the division fosters public awareness and collaboration, empowering Montgomery County residents and partners to effectively prepare for and respond to disasters.
 
 

County Executive’s Customer Service Commitment 

Montgomery County Government is committed to providing exceptional service to our many diverse communities, residents and businesses. I encourage you to contact me if you feel that you have not received excellent service, or have compliments or other comments related to the service you received from your county government.  

-Marc Elrich, Montgomery County Executive

Click here to email County Executive Marc Elrich 


Logo of the Emergency Management Accreditation Program