Emergency Management & Public Safety

The Department of Emergency Management & Public Safety is responsible for emergency preparedness, responses, and recovery efforts. Response activities include supporting 911 communication service, county ambulance service, and emergency planning surrounding infrastructure and community resilience. Sebastian County has an aggressive Training Program for the First Responders among the Rural Fire Departments. We currently have 78 First Responders among 17 Volunteer Fire Departments; 35 are EMTs and 6 are paramedics supporting EMS activities. Other activities include an active Search and Rescue Team that supports the state and region, along with an Amateur Radio Emergency Service and CERT program on a regional effort. Funding for the department is provided by an $18 fee added to personal property tax, approved by voters in 1986.

Services Offered

• Emergency Management and Public Safety
  • Preparedness Actions
    • Storm Shelter Locations and Information
    • Community Emergency Response Team Training (CERT)
    • Sebastian County Youth Preparedness Council
    • Weather EOC and Skywarn Storm Spotters
    • Preparedness Education
    • Stop The Bleed Training
  • Mitigation/Planning Actions
    • Floodplain Data and Guidance
    • Floodplain FEMA Map Service Center
    • Emergency Action Plan Assessments
    • Hazard Vulnerable Assessments
    • Mitigation Grants for Critical Infrastructure
    • Homeland Security Grants for SWAT, BOMB and CBRNE/WND
    • Arkansas/ Oklahoma River Valley Regional Emergency Planning Committee / LEPC
• 911 Communications and 911 Addressing
• Emergency Medical Services/Rescue (SCEMS)
• Sebastian County Rural and Municipal Fire Department
• Sebastian County Search and Rescue (SCSAR)
• Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES)