Nevada's Office of Emergency Management / Homeland Security Overview

Our Story

“Helping People Before, During, and After Disasters” is the core purpose of the Nevada Office of Emergency Management / Homeland Security (NV OEM). Our mission is to prepare Nevada for emergencies, coordinate response efforts, and support recovery to build a more resilient state. Through collaboration and partnerships, we strive to foster a solution-oriented culture and a team environment that attracts and retains talented individuals by prioritizing care and support for our people.

NV OEM leads statewide coordination of federal and state homeland security and emergency management programs. We oversee disaster relief and emergency assistance efforts to ensure efficient mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery for natural, man-made, or technological emergencies. Our work includes liaising with federal, state, local, and tribal agencies to administer emergency management and homeland security initiatives.

Key responsibilities include:

Coordinating resources and equipment for intra- and inter-state mutual aid.
Developing and implementing Nevada’s emergency management strategic direction.
Leading, participating in, or supporting commissions, committees, and boards as required by Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) Chapters 414 and 239C.

Established in 1953 under NRS Chapter 414, NV OEM has a long history of serving Nevadans. On July 1, 2025, Governor Joe Lombardo signed Assembly Bill 553 into law, transitioning the Nevada Division of Emergency Management / Homeland Security under the oversight of the Governor’s Office and renaming it the Nevada Office of Emergency Management / Homeland Security. Authorized by Assembly Bill 553, this realignment elevates emergency management and homeland security to the highest level of state leadership. Today, NV OEM continues to lead the charge in building a safer, stronger, and more resilient Nevada through effective coordination, collaboration, and service.

Emergency Notifications – NV OEM Duty Officers
Duty Officers rotate on a weekly schedule and are available 24/7/365
Primary Emergency Contact Number – 775-687-0498
Secondary Number – DPS Dispatch – 775-687-0400

NV OEM staff is on call 24/7/365, ready to assist local, state, and tribal authorities in responding to emergencies and incidents within their jurisdictions. Additionally, NV OEM operates the Nevada Emergency Operations Center (NVEOC) whenever a disaster or emergency threatens the state.

The NVEOC is activated when local capabilities are overwhelmed and assistance is requested, or when an operational need arises. Depending on the complexity of the incident, the NVEOC is staffed by NV OEM personnel, representatives from state agencies, and volunteers, all working together to coordinate disaster response and recovery efforts efficiently.

Nevada Operations Center

The State of Nevada response functions are conducted in the Nevada Emergency Operations Center (NV EOC). In the NV EOC, representatives from various agencies and organizations coordinate supporting response activities such as public alerts and warnings, mobilization of response personnel, and the coordination and application of resources. The NV EOC Manager and the Operations Chief coordinate the direction and control of supporting resources.

NV EOC Activation Levels

Enhanced Duty Officer

Incidents that require NV OEM Duty Officer notification for resource coordination, but not NVEOC activation, may also demand a duty officer with expanded responsibilities beyond traditional incident monitoring and communication facilitation.

Partial Activation

The situation is of such a scale that only a part of the NV OEM and NV EOC staff will be needed to handle the incident. These types of incidents are usually attributed to single incidents that do not require multiple agencies or resources.

Full Activation

In the event of a disaster or prolonged incident, the Nevada Emergency Operations Center (NV EOC) will be staffed by NV OEM personnel alongside state and local partners, operating within a unified National Incident Management System (NIMS) structure. During these events, the NVEOC focuses on key operational functions, including Operations, Resource Management (Logistics), Planning, Finance, Public Information, and Mission Support (Interoperable Communications).

If a major disaster occurs and the Governor declares a State of Emergency or a Presidential Disaster Declaration is issued, NV OEM will expand operations, working closely with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other federal partners to coordinate response and recovery efforts statewide.

NV OEM Portfolios / Programs

NV OEM’s portfolio is a structured collection of programs, projects, and initiatives designed to support the division’s mission of enhancing Nevada’s preparedness, response, recovery, and resilience. These programs are strategically aligned to ensure effective coordination, resource management, and operational efficiency across all emergency management functions.
Key components of NV OEM’s portfolio include:

Communications – External Affairs, Public Information, Brand Management, and Marketing
Grants Fiscal/Administration – Purchasing, Budgeting, Accounting, Travel Coordination
Grants – Recurring Grants and Recovery
Mission Support – Communications/IT Systems, 911 Coordination, SWIC, NVEOC Operations
Preparedness – Planning, Training & Exercises, Mitigation
Resilience – Access & Functional Needs, Tribal, Rural and Non-Governmental Organization Coordination

By managing these programs as an integrated portfolio, NV OEM ensures a comprehensive, coordinated approach to safeguarding Nevada’s communities and supporting local, state, and tribal partners in times of crisis.

Governance

NV OEM serves as the State of Nevada’s primary coordinator of resources before, during, and after both declared and non-declared emergencies and disasters. These emergencies can be man-made, such as acts of terrorism, or natural, including pandemics, tornadoes, wildland fires, floods, and earthquakes. NV OEM’s critical mission is to ensure that communities across Nevada have the capacity to prepare for, respond to, and recover from these events effectively. 6 With a small but highly skilled team of 51 employees, NV OEM is dedicated to leveraging resources provided by federal and state governments to meet these demands and uphold its mission.

The following Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) define the legally mandated responsibilities of NV OEM, its Administrator, and their role under the direction of the Governor:

The sections of the NRS referenced above outline the primary responsibilities and duties of the NV OEM. Collectively, these statutes establish NV OEM as the state’s coordinator of emergency resources, serving local, state, and tribal partners. NV OEM’s responsibilities encompass a range of activities, including emergency planning, training, and exercises; resource coordination before, during, and after emergencies; administration of Nevada’s Homeland Security efforts; State Search and Rescue coordination; and more.

In addition to its core statutory responsibilities, NV OEM fulfills additional duties outlined in other sections of the NRS. For example:

NRS 388.257 defines NV OEM’s role in addressing emergencies at schools.
NRS 281.149 specifies responsibilities related to emergency communications technicians.
NRS 459.738 outlines duties regarding the State Emergency Response Commission.

While not exhaustive, this overview highlights the breadth of NV OEM’s statutory obligations beyond its primary mandates.

These laws, along with resources and budget authority provided by the Governor and Legislature, form the foundation of NV OEM’s daily operations and emergency response activities. They are further guided by the Governor’s strategic vision of building a more resilient Nevada through partnerships and collaboration at the local, state, tribal, and federal levels.

Mission & Vision Statements

NV OEM has realigned its vision and mission statements to provide a clear roadmap for the NV OEM team, partners, and constituents. This alignment guides decision-making, focuses employee efforts, engages stakeholders, and ensures a shared understanding of the agency's goals, serving as a compass for its long-term success.

Vision: Helping people before, during, and after emergencies.

Mission: Helping Nevada prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies and disasters by building a more resilient Nevada through partnerships and collaboration.

Our Values

Collaboration
Ownership
Consistency
Reliability
Adaptability
Benevolence (well-meaning)
Integrity
Teamwork

Strategic Objectives

A Ready and Resilient Nevada - Prepared for long-term disruptions to critical infrastructure.
Improve Customer Experience with a proactive solution-oriented customer service-centric culture.
Improve our Employee’s Experience
Enhance Nevada’s Emergency Management Capabilities and Capacities.
Proactively Support Emergency Management / Homeland Security Enterprise – Synchronize State agencies and assets.
Effective Communication with Partners and Stakeholders.
Implement a Holistic and Focused Statewide Resilience Strategy
Enhance Public / Private Partnerships
Digitize the Division and Incorporate Advanced Technologies.
Implement Operational Watch Center Capability
Strengthen regional partnerships and position Nevada as a national influencer.
Emergency Operations Center technology and physical structure optimized to evolve through 2035

History of NV OEM

November 28, 1861, Territorial Governor James Nye signed off on the “An Act in relation to the Militia of the Territory of Nevada” and established the Nevada National Guard.
The Nevada Territory acquired statehood in 1864
The Nevada Division of Emergency Management was established in 1953.
From 1953 to 1967 DEM was under the Nevada Department of Defense before converting into the Nevada Department of the Military in 1967.
In 1993 the Nevada Department of the Military was renamed the Nevada Office of the Military
DEM was under the Nevada Department/Office of the Military from 1967 to 1999. On March 24, 1999, Governor Guinn approved NRS 414.040 which states:
“A division of emergency management is hereby created within the Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety.”
“The chief of the division is appointed by and holds office at the pleasure of the director of the Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety.”
“The division is the state agency for emergency management and the state agency for civil defense for the purposes of the compact ratified by the legislature under NRS 415.010.”
“The chief is the state’s director of emergency management and the state’s director of civil defense for the purposes of the compact.”
In January 2010, the Office of Homeland Security merged with the Division of Emergency Management.
On July 1, 2021, Governor Steve Sisolak signed Assembly Bill 485 into law, moving the NDEM from under the Department of Public Safety to the Nevada Office of the Military.
On July 1, 2025, Governor Joe Lombardo signed Assembly Bill 553 into law, transitioning the Nevada Division of Emergency Management / Homeland Security under the oversight of the Governor’s Office and renaming it the Nevada Office of Emergency Management / Homeland Security (NV OEM). Authorized by Assembly Bill 553, this realignment elevates emergency management and homeland security to the highest level of state leadership.

Past Legislative Actions

AB 715 (9/01/1988)
Require division of emergency management to establish procedures of reports of spills or accidents involving hazardous materials.
SB 533 (9/01/1988)
Allow funding of local emergency response planning committees.
AB 445 (9/01/1988)
Authorize employment of additional deputy director of department of motor vehicles and public safety.
BDR 53-1007 (9/01/1988)
Allow emergency response commission to have access to certain records of employment security department.
SB 329 (01/13/1989)
Various changes concerning board of Search and Rescue.
AB 351 (02/07/1989)
Create funds for division of emergency management.
Ch. 269 (02/07/1989)
Appropriation to the division of emergency management to update state’s disaster preparedness plan.
AB 933 (06/09/1989)
Appropriation for support of Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety.
AB 124 Ch. 483 (08/14/1990)
Required consideration of certain hazards to populated areas in planning and zoning.
SB 458 (01/24/1991)
Require division of emergency management to establish program for earthquakes education for school children.
AB 109 (06/11/1992)
Create a State Emergency Operations Center within Division of Emergency Management of Department of the Military.
BDR 43 (02/13/1995)
Creates Divisionof Special Services within the Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety.
AB 626 (08/19/1998)
Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety- Emergency Management; Makes changes concerning emergency management.
SB 193 (10/16/1998)
Revises procedures under which local government may receive services related to emergency management.
SB 441 (2001)
In 2001, a NRS was passed to determine that the division of emergency management is created within the department of public safety.
AB 441 (2003)
Legislature passed Assembly Bill 441 which created the Office of Homeland Security and the Nevada Commission on Homeland Security
SB 39 (12/20/12)
Revises provisions governing the Nevada Commission on Homeland Security. (BDR 19-342)
SB 44(12/20/12)
Revises provisions relating to allocations from the Disaster Relief Account.

NV OEM Administrators

Brett D. Compston: November 2024
David W. Fogerson: October 2020 to September 2024
Justin Luna: August 2019 to October 2020
Caleb S. Cage: July 2015 to July 2019
Christopher B. Smith: October 2011 to April 2015
James Wright: Interim Chief March 2011 to October 2011
Frank Siracusa: 1997- 2011
Tom Manning: Deputy Chief in 1997
Charles W. Owen: 1997
James P Hawke: May 1993-1997
Bill Langley: April 1993
Joe Quinn: March 1993
David McNinch
Bob King
Bob Andrews: Executive Director of SERC
General Tony Clark
Major General James May: 1953 to 1967