Department of Emergency Management

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)
    • Youth Preparedness Council
    • Weather EOC and Skywarn Storm Spotters
    • Preparedness Education
    • Stop The Bleed Training
    • 811 Arkansas One Call
    • Arkansas Firewise
  • Mitigation/Planning Actions
    • Floodplain Data and Guidance
      • 2012 Flood Plain Ordinance #2012-3
      • Model Flood Damage Prevention Code
    • Floodplain FEMA Map Service Center
    • Baseflood Elevation Certificate before New Construction/Fill or Rise
    • Fire Burn Ban - County Ordinance No. 88-13
    • 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
  • Response/Relief/Recovery Actions (see below or under "Resources")
    • 911 Communications and 911 Addressing of new address assignment form "Click Here"
    • Emergency Medical Services/Rescue (SCEMS)
    • Sebastian County Rural and Municipal Fire Department
    • Sebastian County Search and Rescue (SCSAR)
    • Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES)      Play Video
    • COVID Response Information Sharing
      • River Valley Community Covid Resources 2022

For additional assistance or questions, call the ADH COVID-19 Call Center
1-800-803-7847 or email ADH.CoronaVirus@arkansas.gov
For immediate quarantine and isolation sheltering needs of
homeless or displaced individuals, please call 501-661-2136

• Arkansas 211 (DIAL 2-1-1)
  • Aging or Disability, Behavioral Health, Child Care, COVID-19, Disaster Assistance, Domestic Violence, Employment, Food, Health Care, Housing, Legal Assistance, Substance Use, Tax Preparation, Utility Assistance, Veterans, Youth
• United Way of Fort Smith Area: Working For Every Person in Every Community