News Release

Town of Hilton Head Island Earns Emergency Management Accreditation

October 17, 2023

The Town of Hilton Head Island is proud to have earned full accreditation from the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP). It is one of only three programs in South Carolina and one of 91 worldwide to receive this prestigious accreditation.

"This is proof that all our hard work pays off," said Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue Chief Chris Blankenship. "Emergency Manager Tom Dunn has led the way, putting countless hours into improving the Town’s and the entire Island's emergency plans. While we hope to never fully implement them here on Hilton Head Island, we are more ready than ever if and when a hurricane or other natural disaster strikes to protect the people and make sure the Island is up and running again as quickly and as safely as possible."

EMAP is an independent organization that develops internationally recognized standards and an accreditation process for disaster preparedness programs worldwide. It allows emergency management programs to be recognized for compliance with industry standards, demonstrate accountability, and focus attention on areas and issues where resources are needed.

The emergency management standards cover the following:

• Program management, administration and finance, and laws and authorities
• Hazard identification, risk assessment, and consequence analysis
• Hazard mitigation
• Prevention
• Continuity planning and procedures
• Operational planning and procedures
• Incident management
• Resource management, mutual aid, and logistics
• Communications and warning
• Facilities
• Training
• Exercises, evaluations, and corrective action
• Emergency public education and information

The accreditation process was a yearlong self-assessment where Town staff documented and wrote explanations on how and why the Town meets the 66 EMAP standards. During a week-long site visit early this year, the Town hosted a team of emergency management professionals from across the country. The group visited Town facilities and reviewed over 300 documents related to emergency management.

The process demonstrates the Town of Hilton Head Island’s commitment to be a world-class community. For more information about the Town’s emergency management program, visit www.hiltonheadislandsc.gov.