Our History / Mission

The Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) began with authority derived from Act 47 of "The Emergency Management Act of 1955, Chapter 9, Title 31, Code of Alabama 1975." Act 47 mandated that a Governor-appointed State Emergency Management Agency Director carry out the program for emergency management within the State.

In the event of any emergency, AEMA coordinates state resources to support local governments when the emergency is beyond the capability of local government to manage. If the emergency is beyond both state and local capability, AEMA can seek federal disaster assistance through the Governor's office.

The Alabama Emergency Management Agency is also responsible for maintaining State Emergency Operations Plans which detail disaster response policy and operating procedures for state government. Within this role, AEMA activates the State Emergency Operations Center as ordered by the Director or Governor when an emergency or disaster occurs. Various State agency representatives, including the Military Department, work to coordinate resources from the center.

AEMA serves as administrator or federal funding during times of emergency and allocates grants as required by local governments. These grants are provided to support local emergency management programs. AEMA also administers disaster relief grants to state agencies and local governments under a federal disaster declaration.