About NMDHSEM

Mission

To protect the people of New Mexico and the nation through a comprehensive, consolidated, and coordinated program of mitigating hazards, preparing for emergencies, preventing attacks, and responding and recovering from events that occur without regard to cause.

History

The New Mexico Office of Emergency Management was first created in 1959 as the Civil Emergency Preparedness Division (CEPD) of the Office of Military Affairs. The State Civil Emergency Preparedness Act re-defined the purpose and function of the Division.

In 1979, President Carter established the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and CEPD was then reorganized to meet the FEMA structural requirements. In 1987, the office was moved from Office of Military Affairs to the Department of Public Safety. In 1990, the name of the agency was changed to the Office of Emergency Management, Department of Public Safety.

As one of his first acts as Governor, Bill Richardson created the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security in 2003. The Office worked in conjunction with the Office of Emergency Management. During the 2007 legislative session, the two offices were joined to create the cabinet level agency of the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Today, the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management leads the State’s response to emergencies and disasters while providing for the safety and welfare of its citizens. Emergencies and disasters can be defined as something caused by natural or human-made events or any other circumstances determined by the Governor. When necessary, the State assists local jurisdictions whose capabilities are overwhelmed serving as the conduit for assistance from the Federal government. The Department follows the principles of emergency management: preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery.