Public Safety Services

Defiance County is updating its Hazard Mitigation Plan, and we want input from YOU! We have developed a public survey that provides background on what hazard mitigation is and asks participants to take an active role in the process. The survey includes ranking top hazards for your community, answering survey questions about past experiences with hazard events, and identifying areas of concern on a map.

The survey will be available to residents of Defiance County from April 6th through June 18th at the following link: https://metroquestsurvey.com/3rd2y.

Thank you for doing your part to help Defiance County in its update of the Hazard Mitigation Plan!

Emergency Management Agency (EMA)

The Defiance County Emergency Management Agency was established in accordance with Ohio Revised Code (ORC 5502) in 1989 to serve as a countywide agency to oversee the planning, response, recovery, mitigation, and coordination of all efforts utilized in major emergencies / disasters.

In Defiance County, the EMA also serves as the coordinating agency and public information arm of the Local Emergency Planning Committee (L.E.P.C.) which maintains, updates, and coordinates laws, records, and training exercises dealing with the storage, manufacture, and transportation of hazardous materials in our community.

The EMA has the responsibility for maintaining the county's Emergency Operations Center (E.O.C.) located at 22491 Mill St. in Brunersburg and for establishing a secondary E.O.C. as needed.

The agency is also charged with the establishment and updating of the County's Emergency Operations Plan (E.O.P.). This document is a formal outline of emergency response to all types of emergencies / disasters.

A full time Director, Julie A. Rittenhouse, a Administrative Assistant, LEPC Secretary, Treasurer, Information Coordinator and Workers Comp Coordinator, Melanie Becher, and an Intermittent Manataintenance Man, Ronald Rethmel, staff the agency.

For more information on emergency management, please visit these resources:

Safety, Loss & Risk Management

Coordinate safety training requests with County Agencies / Public Authorities

Evaluate and review requests from departments on safety concerns / issues

Monitoring and documenting improvements made with regards to safety

Notifies departments of upcoming training, as well as safety corrective measures needed

Conduct County facility inspections

Call for information: (419) 782-1130

In-Service Programs

Tornado & Severe Weather

Storm Spotter Training

Hazmat Awareness

Defensive Driving

Drug-Free Work Place Training

Plus many other programs available! Call (419) 782-1130 for more information.