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Emergency planning

Group of emergency response staff coordinating plans
Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

Emergency planning

Why emergency planning matters

Emergency planning helps people and organizations prepare for emergencies, respond quickly, and reduce harm. Everyone should have an emergency plan. Communities, businesses, and facilities should also have plans for hazards that may affect their communities and workplaces.

  • Emergencies can happen suddenly and include:

    • Fires
    • Severe or extreme weather
    • Cyberattacks
    • Chemical releases and other environmental emergencies
    • Workplace violence
    • Medical emergencies

    A good emergency plan identifies potential hazards and explains what to do before, during, and after an emergency.

  • Emergency planning can help:

    • Save lives and reduce the risk of injury or death
    • Protect the environment
    • Protect property and critical infrastructure
    • Reduce financial losses
    • Prevent small incidents from becoming larger emergencies

    Clear response procedures help employees, the public, and first responders work together and respond effectively.

Integrated Contingency Plans (ICP)

Many state and federal emergency planning requirements can be combined into a single Integrated Contingency Plan (ICP). An ICP can help organizations bring multiple emergency planning requirements together in one plan, making it easier to prepare for and respond to different types of emergencies.
  • An emergency worker in safety gear looks outward towards three other workers wearing safety gear and pointing a hose at a hazard

    Great Lakes Environmental Emergencies Conference

    March 23-24, 2027: Join the Great Lakes emergency management and spill response community for networking and training.

Resources to help you create and improve emergency plans

Use these resources to develop, update, and strengthen emergency plans for your facility, community, or organization. They include planning guidance, templates, regulatory requirements, and industry-specific resources for preparing for and responding to emergencies.

Contact us

Report an emergency to our Pollution Emergency Alerting System (PEAS) hotline

800-292-4706

Environmental Assistance Center

800-662-9278 or EGLE-Assist@Michigan.gov

EGLE Emergency Management Coordinator

Jay Eickholt, EickholtJ1@Michigan.gov