Shaker Heights to Use County for Emergency Management

Shaker Heights is turning to the county for its state-mandated emergency management program.

City Council on Monday approved an ordinance adopting the Cuyahoga County Office of Emergency Management as the agency that will handle emergency matters. Under this agreement, the CCOEM will conduct damage assessments and act as a liaison with the state should catastrophic events occur.

The county created its office under the Department of Public Safety and Justice umbrella for efficient planning, mitigation and response actions for Cuyahoga citizens, Shaker Fire Chief Kevin Jacobs said.

If did not use the county as its agency, the city would have to establish its own plan, conduct its own damage assessments and work directly with the state on disaster declarations. The Shaker Heights Public Works Committee on Aug. 15 approved the county plan for council.

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