Mission
The Putnam County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) works to protect lives, property, infrastructure, and the environment through comprehensive emergency management and community preparedness efforts across Putnam County.
Through coordination, planning, training, and partnerships, the agency supports prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery operations for emergencies and disasters of all types. Putnam County EMA works closely with local, state, federal, private-sector, and volunteer partners to strengthen community resilience before, during, and after emergencies.
Who We Are
Putnam County EMA serves as the county’s lead agency for emergency management and homeland security coordination.
Operating under Indiana law and in partnership with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS), the agency works alongside local government officials, fire departments, law enforcement, EMS, public health agencies, schools, utilities, businesses, volunteer organizations, and community partners to support preparedness and coordinated emergency response throughout the county.
Emergency management is more than disaster response. Much of the work happens behind the scenes through planning, training, communication, hazard mitigation, public education, and coordination designed to help Putnam County remain safe, resilient, and prepared.
What We Do
Putnam County EMA coordinates countywide emergency management activities before, during, and after emergencies and disasters.
Core responsibilities include:
Emergency planning and preparedness
Emergency Operations Center (EOC) coordination
Training, exercises, and incident management support
Severe weather preparedness and warning coordination
Hazard mitigation and disaster resilience planning
Public information and emergency notifications
Recovery coordination following disasters and large incidents
Coordination with local, state, and federal agencies
Support for public safety communications and interoperability
Critical infrastructure and community lifeline coordination
The agency utilizes the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS) to support unified, scalable, and coordinated emergency operations across all disciplines.
- Emergency Operations & Coordination
Putnam County EMA coordinates emergency operations countywide through the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during incidents, disasters, severe weather events, and large-scale emergencies.
The EOC serves as a centralized coordination point for:
‣ Resource management
‣ Situational awareness
‣ Interagency communication
‣ Incident support
‣ Emergency public information
‣ Coordination with state and federal agenciesEMA supports unified coordination between fire departments, law enforcement, EMS, public health, public works, utilities, schools, volunteer organizations, and other response partners.
- Severe Weather & Warning Coordination
Severe weather remains one of the most common hazards impacting Putnam County.
Putnam County EMA works closely with the National Weather Service and local public safety agencies to monitor hazardous weather conditions and coordinate warning and preparedness efforts involving:
‣ Tornadoes
‣ Severe thunderstorms
‣ Flooding
‣ Winter storms
‣ Extreme heat and cold
‣ High wind eventsThe agency also supports public alerting systems, weather preparedness outreach, and situational awareness operations during hazardous weather incidents.
- Planning & Preparedness
Preparedness begins long before emergencies occur.
Putnam County EMA develops, maintains, and coordinates emergency plans designed to support the county before, during, and after incidents of all types.
Planning efforts include:
‣ County Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)
‣ Hazard Mitigation Planning
‣ Continuity of Operations (COOP)
‣ Continuity of Government (COG)
‣ Recovery and debris management planning
‣ Emergency support function coordination
‣ Critical infrastructure planningPreparedness activities also include public education, partner coordination, and whole-community preparedness initiatives.
- Training & Exercises
Training and exercises help ensure agencies and responders are prepared to operate effectively during emergencies.
Putnam County EMA coordinates and supports:
‣ NIMS and ICS training
‣ Tabletop exercises
‣ Functional exercises
‣ Full-scale exercises
‣ Multi-agency coordination drills
‣ Severe weather exercises
‣ Emergency Operations Center trainingThese activities strengthen coordination, communication, and operational readiness across the county.
- Public Safety Communications
Reliable communications are one of the most critical components of emergency response and public safety operations.
Putnam County EMA supports communications coordination involving:
‣ Interoperable public safety communications
‣ Public safety radio programming
‣ Emergency alert and warning systems
‣ Backup communication capabilities
‣ Radio coordination and planning
‣ Communications redundancy
‣ Coordination with dispatch and response agenciesMaintaining effective communication systems helps ensure responders and agencies can coordinate safely and efficiently during emergencies.
- Critical Infrastructure & Community Lifelines
Communities rely on critical infrastructure systems every day.
Putnam County EMA works with local, state, and private-sector partners to support preparedness and resilience involving:
‣ Energy and utilities
‣ Water and wastewater systems
‣ Communications infrastructure
‣ Transportation systems
‣ Fuel supply and logistics
‣ Healthcare systems
‣ Public safety servicesProtecting community lifelines helps support faster response and recovery during emergencies and disasters.
- Damage Assessment & Recovery
Following severe weather, flooding, or disasters, Putnam County EMA coordinates damage assessment and recovery operations to help identify impacts and support recovery efforts.
Recovery coordination may include:
‣ Preliminary damage assessments
‣ Resource coordination
‣ Debris management support
‣ Coordination with state and federal agencies
‣ Recovery planning and assistance
‣ Documentation and situational reportingRecovery operations help communities stabilize and begin rebuilding following emergencies.
- Hazardous Materials & Environmental Safety
Hazardous materials incidents can occur on highways, rail lines, industrial facilities, agricultural operations, and transportation corridors throughout the county.
Putnam County EMA supports hazardous materials preparedness and coordination through:
‣ Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) coordination
‣ Hazardous materials planning
‣ Interagency coordination
‣ Public safety support
‣ Environmental and infrastructure awareness
‣ Coordination with local and state partnersThese efforts help strengthen community preparedness for hazardous materials emergencies and environmental incidents.
- Special Events & Public Safety Planning
Large public gatherings require coordination and planning to help ensure public safety and emergency readiness.
Putnam County EMA supports special event planning involving:
‣ Traffic and access coordination
‣ Emergency vehicle access planning
‣ Severe weather contingency planning
‣ Public safety coordination
‣ Communications planning
‣ Incident action planning
‣ Unified command supportThese efforts help support safe and successful community events throughout Putnam County.
- Community Outreach & Preparedness Education
Prepared communities are stronger and more resilient during emergencies.
Putnam County EMA supports community preparedness through:
‣ Public preparedness education
‣ Severe weather awareness
‣ Emergency alert awareness
‣ School and community outreach
‣ Partner engagement
‣ Preparedness campaigns and initiativesThe agency encourages residents, businesses, and organizations to prepare before emergencies occur and remain informed about local hazards and preparedness resources.
Our Service Area
Putnam County EMA serves all communities throughout Putnam County, including Greencastle, Bainbridge, Cloverdale, Fillmore, Reelsville, Russellville, Roachdale, and surrounding rural areas.
The agency supports approximately 36,000 residents across nearly 480 square miles in west-central Indiana, coordinating preparedness and emergency management efforts for both urban and rural communities throughout the county.
Prepared - Coordinated - Ready
Preparedness starts before emergencies occur. Through partnerships, planning, training, and community engagement, Putnam County EMA works every day to help protect the people, communities, and critical infrastructure that keep Putnam County strong.