Office of Emergency Management (OEM)

The Wetzel County Office of Emergency Management (WCOEM)is based in the Emergency Operations Center within the Wetzel County 911 Center. It consists of the Director Edgar Sapp and the Administrative Assistant Norma Ritz and several dedicated volunteers working for the Wetzel County Commission.  Emergency management’s primary objective is to protect life and property by utilizing these five steps:

1. Mitigate – To minimize the risk to life and property
2. Plan – Plan for both natural and man-made disasters
3. Prepare – Establish resources and exercise plans
4. Respond – Putting plans into action
5. Recover – Assist in recovery efforts

 The WCOEM is responsible for locating and requesting all necessary resources need in the time of a disaster.  Disasters may include but are not limited to natural disasters such as flooding, winter storms or wind storms and manmade disasters such as chemical spills, train derailments, well fires or major power outages.

WCOEM acts as liaison for the Wetzel County Commission and coordinates with the West Virginia Department of Homeland Security and FEMA to acquire the needed resources to help the citizens of Wetzel County.  Additionally the WCOEM works with all local emergency response agencies before and during an emergency to coordinate the necessary resources to assist with a disaster. 

In preparation for any potential disaster WCOEM has both a mobile office and the WCOEM Incident Support truck, equipped with the same radio’s used by the Wetzel County 911, to provide on the scene communications during any extended emergencies following a disaster.  A UTV equipped with med bed for off road rescues and a water buffalo for transporting potable water are also kept for use as needed.

The Wetzel County Office of Emergency Management is also responsible for floodplain development.  Wetzel County has a floodplain ordinance which follows FEMA guidelines and is periodically reviewed by FEMA for violations.  All development in areas of a floodplain requires a permit before any development can take place. Proposed projects are reviewed and conditions imposed on any permits issued to reduce the potential damage from floodwater.

Edgar Sapp
Phone: 304-455-6960
Fax: 304-455-2909
Wetzel County E-911
PO Box 156
New Martinsville, WV 26155