The role of the office is multi-faceted, but basically includes training and education of emergency services personnel and the public. It also includes coordinating preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery of all agencies and personnel to any potential or actual manmade or natural disaster that threatens life, property and/or the environment in Cayuga County. The severe weather events are: flood, drought, hurricane, tornado, winter storm, ice storm. Also, the office handles events such as hazardous material or radiological release, airplane crash, train derailment, dam failure, long term power failure, mass casualty incidents or act of domestic terrorism.

Our office routinely provides resource information and interacts with Fire, Emergency Medical, Law Enforcement, the American Red Cross, the New York State Health Department, the County Health Department, the Planning Department and the New York State Weapons of Mass Destruction Taskforce on a wide range of issues. We function as the coordinator between local and state/federal government in matters related to Federal Grant/Loan monies. We provide Emergency Medical, CPR, and Fire training for all county first responders.