Response Branch

Public safety personnel, emergency responders and emergency managers respond to natural disasters, technological and civil emergencies throughout the State of Arizona. Occasionally, large scale disasters and emergencies exhaust local and/or county response capabilities. Under such circumstances, local jurisdictions may need help from local, state and federal partners.

All incidents begin and end at the local level; however, when events exceed the local capacities and capabilities, the impacted jurisdiction may ask county emergency management for assistance. If the response needs of the impacted jurisdiction exceed the capabilities of the county, it may request assistance from other counties and/or the State of Arizona.

If the State of Arizona declares an emergency, the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA) will activate the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) and recall representatives of state and non-governmental organizations to staff its various Emergency Support Functions (ESF).

The SEOC is the State of Arizona’s support and coordination facility. From this location, DEMA provides coordinated support to local emergency management and recovery activities.

If an event is catastrophic in nature and/or the State's capacity and capabilities are exhausted, the State can request federal assistance. In events of this magnitude, federal, state, county and tribal partners work together to deliver assets and life-saving support to impacted jurisdictions.