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Emergency Management Agency (EMA)
EMA Contact EMA Related Links Emergency Management 101 From the Director History How to Volunteer Local Emergency Planning Committee How To Prepare Staff Weather Links Union County Ohio Emergency Communications Disaster Information (Real Time)
General Information
Staff Directory
Email
ema@unioncountyohio.gov
Phone Numbers
937-645-3174
Emergencies: Dial 911
Location
233 West 6th Street
Marysville,
OH
43040
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History

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History

About the Union County Emergency Management Agency

 The Union County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) has a long and proud history of serving the residents and emergency services of Union County. Established in 1951 as the Union County Civil Defense, or simply “CD,” the agency was initially formed in response to the Cold War, helping communities build bomb shelters and prepare for potential nuclear attacks.

 As local threats evolved, so did the agency’s mission. Over time, the focus shifted from wartime preparedness to assisting citizens in responding to natural and man-made disasters. Local volunteers began organizing efforts to support emergency services across the county, laying the groundwork for what the agency has become today.

 History of Service

During the 1960s and 70s, the agency focused on storm readiness working with locals to have plans for shelters and mobile hospitals.   The volunteers’ part of the Civil Defense played a key role in water rescue operations, including the formation of a dive team and a boat unit that responded to incidents not just in Union County but throughout Central Ohio.

Union County Civil Defense didn't limit its response efforts to local emergencies. The organization also responded to plane crashes in Wyandot and Champaign Counties, the tragic Silver Bridge collapse in West Virginia, and several other regional incidents.

The agency was instrumental during several major events, including:

  • The Flood of 1959
  • The Tornado of 1972
  • The Blizzard of 1978

 Modern Evolution

In 1996, the organization officially became the Union County Emergency Management Agency, reflecting a broader mission that includes preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery.

By 2000, the agency hired its first full-time staff member, supporting a director who was also responsible for multiple county duties. Since then, the staff has grown, while maintaining a dedicated and skilled volunteer corps. Volunteers now assist with:

  • Firefighter rehab support
  • Managing and deploying hazardous materials equipment, generators, and emergency lighting
  • Traffic control and communications
  • Weather spotting
  • Transporting essential workers like nurses and doctors during snow emergencies

 The EMA also oversees and operates the County Emergency Operations Center, ensuring a coordinated response during large-scale emergencies.

 Training & Accreditation

Today, the EMA team consists of 4 staff members (3 full-time and 1 part-time) focused on providing training, planning, and educational opportunities for first responders and partner agencies across Union County.

 In 2025, Union County EMA earned its designation as an Accredited Emergency Management Program, and is currently the smallest county in the United States to be an accredited program.