The Emergency Management Department was established to enhance coordination of local emergency preparations, response and recovery operations and to ensure the City is able to respond to all needs required by residents in the event of a local emergency. Appointed by Mayor Villaraigosa to lead the division, LAFD veteran James Featherstone has worked to accomplish the department’s mission of coordination, education and training of the city’s first responders and residents.
In November 2008, the Mayor launched an emergency management initiative to modernize the department’s structure, communication and community outreach. The initiative worked to update best practices, as well to develop clear roles and accountability measures for each city department that may be called upon during an even of a local emergency. The new effort also expanded on current LAPD and LAFD outreach aimed at educating and preparing city residents for possible emergencies.