Cherokee County, Iowa Emergency Management Office.

   The Cherokee County Emergency Management Agency was created by Chapter 29C of the Iowa Code for the purpose of ensuring mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery planning from the effects of man-made and natural hazards to assist in the preservation of life and the protection of property for the citizens of Cherokee County. The Agency is directed by a Coordinator who is appointed by the Emergency Management Commission. The Commission is comprised of the mayors of all eight communities within the county, the Sheriff and one member of the Board of Supervisors. The Agency’s primary mission is to collaborate and cooperate with our county’s dedicated emergency responders, partner agencies and the public to ensure that Cherokee County is prepared to deal with all hazards that may impact it.

    The Cherokee County Emergency Management Agency is responsible for the development and maintenance of the County’s All Hazards Emergency Operations plan, the Recovery plan, the Mitigation Plan and the Strategic Plan for Emergency Services. The Coordinator plans and facilitates county wide disaster exercises. The Agency sponsors critical training opportunities for emergency responders, partner agencies and the public to become more skilled to serve the County and its citizens.

   The Agency’s Coordinator applies for and administers several grant programs that benefit response agencies within Cherokee County. She also represents Cherokee County on the Iowa Region 3 Homeland Security Board and serves as Vice Chair of that board. The Coordinator is a member of the Iowa Emergency Management Association, the Cherokee County EMS Board, the Cherokee County 911 Board and the Tri-state Emergency Management Board.

    Past achievements of the Cherokee County Emergency Management Agency include the creation of a response unit that is capable of providing decontamination and mass casualty support. The Agency managed a $1 million Department of Homeland Security Grant for Region 3. Cherokee County has achieved National Incident Management System compliance to allow additional federal funding to be available to entities within the county. The Emergency Management Agency has worked through two Presidential Disaster Declarations in 2007, allowing additional Federal and State monies to be awarded to Cherokee County entities.

Address of
Emergency Management Agency's office:
520 W. Main Drawer D
Cherokee, IA 51012

Hours Office is open:
Monday - Friday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Phone Number:
(712) 225-6721

Office holder name:
Aimee Barritt

Emergency Management Agency's Links:
US Department of
Homeland Security