The Division of Emergency Management
A Message from the Deputy Director
Welcome to the Sussex County Division of Emergency Management.
Emergency Management is about more than responding to disasters—it is about building a safer, stronger, and more resilient Sussex County. Our mission is to develop and maintain a comprehensive emergency management program focused on the five phases of emergency management: Prevention, Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery. Through each of these phases, we work to reduce risk, strengthen community resilience, coordinate emergency operations, and support recovery efforts whenever emergencies occur.
Every day, our team works alongside local, state, federal, nonprofit, and private-sector partners to prepare for and respond to emergencies of all types. We maintain the Sussex County Emergency Operations Plan (SCEOP), coordinate the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during emergencies, oversee the County’s Hazard Mitigation Plan and Continuity of Operations planning, monitor severe weather and emerging threats, and coordinate training and exercises with emergency management partners throughout the region.
Emergency preparedness extends beyond government. Through community outreach, public education, volunteer programs such as the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and Auxiliary Communications (AUXCOMM), and leadership of the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), we work to strengthen preparedness and resilience across Sussex County. We also collaborate with local governments, businesses, schools, healthcare facilities, and emergency response agencies to improve planning, preparedness, and coordinated response capabilities.
While our team prepares every day for the unexpected, emergency preparedness begins with each of us. Every individual, family, and business has an important role in creating a safer community. Having an emergency plan, building an emergency supply kit, staying informed through trusted sources, and understanding local hazards can make a significant difference when emergencies occur.
We encourage you to explore the resources throughout this website, learn about the hazards that affect Sussex County, sign up for emergency alerts, and discover how you can help make our community stronger and more resilient.
Timothy R. Cooper
Deputy Director of the Division of Emergency Management
Leadership Team
Vision
A prepared, resilient, and informed Sussex County where communities are ready to face emergencies, adapt to changing risks, and recover stronger.
Mission
To protect Sussex County’s residents, visitors, communities, and infrastructure through a comprehensive, all-hazards approach to prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
Values
These values define how we serve. By demonstrating Professionalism, Service, Collaboration, Preparedness, and Innovation in our actions and decisions, we earn and protect what matters most—Public Trust.
Professionalism
We conduct ourselves with integrity, accountability, competence, and respect. We take responsibility for our actions, maintain high standards, and represent the Department and the community we serve with professionalism in every interaction.
Service
We put the needs of our community at the center of what we do. We are committed to providing responsive, compassionate, and dependable service to those who rely on us, especially during their most difficult moments.
Collaboration
We work together toward a common mission. We value the expertise and contributions of each division, employee, and partner and recognize that communication, cooperation, and shared responsibility make us stronger and more effective.
Preparedness
We prepare today so we are ready when our community needs us. Through planning, training, situational awareness, and continuous readiness, we anticipate challenges and maintain the people, systems, and capabilities necessary to respond effectively.
Innovation
We continually seek better ways to serve. We embrace thoughtful change, technology, evidence, employee ideas, and lessons learned to improve our services, systems, and outcomes.
Public Trust
We earn and protect the confidence placed in us. Through transparency, integrity, accountability, and consistent performance, we strive to be worthy of the trust of our community, our partners, and one another.
