Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency

What Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency does

Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA) is a state government agency established in 1973 under Rhode Island General Law 30-15, operating from its headquarters at 645 New London Avenue in Cranston, Rhode Island. The agency coordinates the full emergency management cycle — prevention, preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation — across all 39 municipalities, 1 Tribal Nation, and 12 higher education institutions in the state. RIEMA serves Rhode Island residents, local governments, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations through a multi-branch organizational structure encompassing Planning, Operations, Operations Support, Preparedness, Recovery, External Affairs, Finance/Grants, and Legal branches.

The agency's core technology platform is the RISCON (Rhode Island Communications Statewide Communications Network), a proprietary interoperable communications system providing real-time voice and data services for police, fire, EMS, and public safety agencies. Additional operational assets include Mobile Command Posts equipped with satellite communications and video conferencing, an ArcGIS-based real-time emergency alerts platform, GIS floodplain mapping tools, and backup amateur radio communications via ARES-RI. RIEMA's product portfolio spans FEMA grant administration (HMGP, FMA, BRIC, Public Assistance, Individual Assistance, Fire Management Assistance), SBA disaster loan coordination, evacuation mapping for 21 coastal communities, power outage tracking across multiple utilities, cooling and warming center networks, and community preparedness training programs.

As a government entity, RIEMA does not generate commercial revenue. It is funded through State of Rhode Island appropriations and federal grants (primarily FEMA), with services provided at no direct cost to residents and municipalities. The agency holds EMAP accreditation and has achieved 97% population coverage under approved hazard mitigation plans, 40 StormReady certified sites, and full NFIP participation across all municipalities. Its business model is fundamentally a public-sector coordination and grant administration platform with no commercial pricing or revenue mechanics.

Name

Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency

Legal name

Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency

Website

https://riema.ri.gov

Company type

Public

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency is a state government agency coordinating emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation across all 39 municipalities and 1 Tribal Nation. It administers FEMA grants, operates the RISCON statewide communications network, and serves Rhode Island residents, municipalities, and institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Emergency Management Services

NAICS

Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities (922)

akta.pro primary industry

Emergency Management & Disaster Response (EOC, Civil Defense) (BPAIAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Emergency Management & National Resilience (Civil Protection) (BPAIAAAI)

Keywords

• Emergency management services
• Disaster preparedness
• Hazard mitigation planning
• Emergency communications network
• Disaster recovery assistance

Headquarters

HQ city

Cranston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

RIEMA is a state government agency that coordinates comprehensive emergency management across Rhode Island, covering preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery from all hazards. It administers federal disaster grant programs (HMGP, FMA, BRIC, Public Assistance, Individual Assistance, Fire Management Assistance), operates the RISCON statewide interoperable communications network and Mobile Command Posts, delivers emergency alerts and notifications, conducts floodplain management and hazard mitigation planning, and provides training, exercises, and community preparedness education to residents, municipalities, businesses, and higher education institutions.

Product overview

Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA) is a state government emergency management agency that operates as a unified platform of coordinated services rather than a single commercial product. The agency delivers its mission through multiple interconnected branches and programs: the Planning Branch handles comprehensive emergency management planning, hazard mitigation programs (including HMGP, FMA, and BRIC grants), floodplain management, and dam safety; the Operations Branch manages emergency response coordination; the Operations Support Branch maintains critical communications infrastructure including RISCON (statewide radio network) and Mobile Command Posts; the Preparedness Branch provides training, exercises, and community education; and the Recovery Branch administers federal disaster recovery programs including Public Assistance, Individual Assistance, and SBA disaster loans. Key service offerings include cooling and warming centers, evacuation mapping, power outage tracking, damage assessment, and community outreach programs. The agency integrates with FEMA, National Weather Service, utility providers, and transportation agencies to coordinate comprehensive emergency management across the state.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP)
• Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)
• Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant Program (FMA)
• Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Grant Program
• Public Assistance Program
• Individual Assistance Program
• SBA Disaster Loans
• Evacuation Maps
• Power Outage Maps
• Floodplain Mapping Tool
• Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM)
• Cooling Centers
• Warming Centers
• Rhode Island Communications Statewide Communications Network (RISCON)
• Mobile Command Posts
• Amateur Radio Emergency Communications
• Emergency Management Training Programs
• Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
• Power Up Mobile Charging Trailer
• Damage Assessment Services
• Dam Safety Program
• Fire Management Assistance Grants
• Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP)
• Local Hazard Mitigation Planning
• Emergency Alerts System
• Outreach and Education Programs
• Preparedness Plans and Checklists

Quantifiable outcome

• 97% of Rhode Island population covered by approved hazard mitigation plans
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration22 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFEMA is the primary federal partner for disaster response and recovery. FEMA partners with RIEMA on Public Assistance grants, Individual Assistance programs, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Flood Mitigation Assistance, and Fire Management Assistance Grants. RIEMA administers FEMA programs at the state level and coordinates Preliminary Damage Assessments for federal disaster declarations.
• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSBA provides low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses, and private nonprofits in federally declared disaster areas. SBA partners with FEMA to offer Physical Damage Loans, Mitigation Assistance, and Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help recovery from declared disasters.
• Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRIDEM and RIEMA collaborate on dam safety programs, floodplain management, and environmental emergency response. RIDEM conducts dam inspections and regulatory compliance while RIEMA focuses on emergency preparedness and response planning for dam-related emergencies. Jointly developed the Rhode Island Dam EAP Template.
• American Red CrossmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe American Red Cross partners with RIEMA on disaster response and recovery efforts. Joint initiatives include the 'Sound the Alarm' home fire prevention campaign (installing free smoke alarms) and shelter support during disasters. Red Cross volunteers assist with shelter operations and relief item distribution.
• Local Municipal Emergency ManagerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRIEMA coordinates with 38 city and town emergency managers across Rhode Island for local emergency planning, disaster response coordination, and hazard mitigation implementation. Each municipality has designated emergency management personnel for 24/7 coordination during emergencies.
• Higher Education Emergency ManagersmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRIEMA coordinates with emergency managers from 12 Rhode Island higher education institutions including Brown University, Bryant University, CCRI, JWU, NEIT, Providence College, RIC, RISD, RWU, Salve Regina University, and URI for campus emergency planning and disaster response.
• National Weather ServicecoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for weather monitoring, alerts, and forecasting. National Weather Service provides watches, warnings, and advisories used by RIEMA for emergency operations. SKYWARN program coordinates volunteer storm spotters with emergency management.
• Amateur Radio Operators (ARES-RI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmateur radio operators (hams) provide backup communications when traditional systems fail. ARES-RI volunteers support emergency communications for Incident Command Posts, Emergency Operations Centers, and shelters during disasters with power outages or infrastructure damage.
• Rhode Island Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRI VOAD brings together volunteer organizations active in disaster response to share knowledge and resources throughout the disaster cycle. RIEMA collaborates with VOAD for preparation, response, and recovery operations.
• Rhode Island Department of Business RegulationsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners on consumer information related to disaster preparedness and insurance matters. Provides consumer protection information for disaster survivors dealing with insurance claims and recovery contractors.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Vermont Emergency Management: Vermont Emergency Management is a small neighboring New England state agency performing the same emergency preparedness, response, and recovery functions as RIEMA, including FEMA program administration.
• Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA): MEMA is the state emergency management agency for Massachusetts, performing the same core functions as RIEMA — preparedness, response, recovery, mitigation — for a neighboring New England state with comparable coastal hazard exposure.
• New Hampshire Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management: NH HSEM is the small New England peer agency operating a state EOC, administering FEMA grants, and coordinating municipal emergency managers with a structure nearly identical to RIEMA's.
• Texas Division of Emergency Management: TDEM is a state-level emergency management agency performing the same core functions as RIEMA (FEMA grant administration, EOC operations, hazard mitigation) for a much larger state with diverse hazard exposure.
• Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA): Maine's MEMA is a small New England state emergency management agency with similar coastal hazard exposure and a comparable program mix (FEMA grants, hazard mitigation, EOC operations) to RIEMA.
• California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES): Cal OES performs the same statewide emergency management functions as RIEMA at significantly larger scale, including FEMA grant administration, hazard mitigation, and EOC operations for a high-risk state.
• New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services: NY DHSES performs the same emergency management and disaster recovery functions as RIEMA at much larger scale, with comparable integration to FEMA programs and state-municipal coordination models.
• Florida Division of Emergency Management: Florida DEM is a state emergency management agency with a comparable mission — preparedness, response, recovery, mitigation — and similar FEMA program administration, but at much greater scale and hurricane exposure.
• Connecticut Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security: Connecticut's DEMHS administers FEMA grant programs, coordinates municipal emergency managers, and operates an EOC, mirroring RIEMA's structure for a neighboring southern New England state.

Broad incumbents

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): FEMA is the federal-level umbrella agency that funds and oversees the FEMA grant programs RIEMA administers. It is the broad incumbent in emergency management, with which RIEMA partners as a primary federal counterpart.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/RhodeIslandEMA
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC2z2UPgjEWmLslb_8U1XUww/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/RhodeIslandEMA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rhode-island-emergency-management-agency
• Instagraminstagram.com/rhodeislandema

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency