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Under Maine law (Maine Revised Statute, Title 37-B, §704), the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is responsible for safeguarding the public by planning for various natural, technological, and human-caused hazards.
To fulfill this responsibility, MEMA developed the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP), which outlines how the state government manages emergencies and coordinates with stakeholders across local, county, and tribal governments, as well as federal agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations, and the private sector.
The CEMP is divided into four volumes:
- Volume I – Preparedness Strategy,
- Volume II – State Hazard Mitigation Plan,
- Volume III – Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), and
- Volume IV – Interagency Disaster Recovery Plan.
Volume III, the EOP, serves as the main framework for emergency response in Maine. It consists of a base plan and several annexes that provide more detailed information:
- Risk Register: Details the identified risks and hazards facing the state, including their potential impact and the likelihood of their occurrence.
- State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) Procedures: Outlines the structure, roles, and responsibilities for staff working within the SEOC during an emergency. It includes procedures for activation, deactivation, and the overall SEOC management.
- Incident and Hazard Annex: Provides specific, detailed procedures for handling particular types of incidents, like floods, severe weather, or cybersecurity threats. The annex is designed to supplement the base plan with specialized guidance.
- Coordination and Administrative Annex: Details how the state coordinates with key external partners, including the Maine National Guard, tribal nations, private sector, and voluntary organizations. Subordinate appendices further outline specific protocols for engaging each of these groups to ensure a unified emergency response.
- Continuity of Operations Annex: Identifies contingencies to ensure essential government functions can continue during and after an emergency. It includes procedures for relocating personnel, protecting vital records, and maintaining communication systems.
- Evacuation Annex: Provides guidance and procedures for the safe and orderly movement of people from a threatened area. It covers topics such as evacuation routes, transportation resources, and shelter management.
- Mass Fatality Annex: Details procedures for the compassionate and respectful handling of deceased individuals following a catastrophic event. It details responsibilities for victim identification, morgue operations, and family assistance.
- Distribution Management Annex: Describes the process for receiving, staging, and distributing critical supplies and resources to affected areas. It includes information on supply chains and logistics coordination.
Note: Acronyms and definitions are provided in the State Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Definitions (SAAD) List and in Section 9: Acronyms within this document.
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