Delaware Emergency Management Agency

What Delaware Emergency Management Agency does

Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) is a state government agency, established in 1951 under the Delaware Civil Defense Act and reorganized in 1971 and again in 1993 into its current form, operating as a division within the Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security. Headquartered in Smyrna, Delaware with 41 employees, DEMA is the statutory lead coordinator for emergency preparedness, training, response, recovery, and mitigation services across the State of Delaware under Delaware Code Title 20, Chapter 31. The agency serves Delaware residents, K-12 public and charter schools, county and municipal governments, and eligible private non-profits through a service portfolio spanning the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC), the Delaware Emergency Notification System (DENS) integrated with Smart911, the Delaware School Safety Center (DSSC), the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) for hazardous materials oversight, and administration of federal FEMA and DHS grants including BRIC, HMGP, FMA, HSGP, EMPG, NSGP, and the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program.

DEMA's core technology stack is built on WebEOC 9.2 for incident information sharing, DENS for multi-channel public alerting (phone, text, email, social media, Wireless Emergency Alerts), and a School Safety & Wellness Suite that includes the SAFE DE anonymous reporting app, crisis texting, and integrated Crisis Text Line. The agency's hardened Smyrna facility houses the SEOC and was designed to withstand moderate earthquakes, 120 mph winds, and lightning. DEMA also manages the Driving Restrictions Waiver System on SmartSimple, supports DE-PLANs (Delaware Equitable Planning for Local Adaptation Needs) in partnership with the University of Delaware, and provides the National Risk Index for community hazard assessment.

As a government agency, DEMA is publicly funded rather than revenue-generating, with services provided at no direct cost to the public. Its "revenue" mechanics consist of federal grant pass-through (over $285 million in COVID-19 DR4526-DE relief and over $7.5 million in Hurricane Ida DR4627-DE recovery administered to subrecipients), state appropriations, and approximately $480,000 annually in SERC hazardous chemical inventory fees. DEMA's go-to-market is essentially event-driven and community-led, reaching constituents through DENS alerts, PrepareDE.org, social media channels, training programs and exercises (including the annual School Safety Conference and Hazardous Materials Training Workshop), and coordination partnerships with the American Red Cross, Delaware VOAD, Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT), Delaware 211, and county emergency management offices.

Name

Delaware Emergency Management Agency

Legal name

Delaware Emergency Management Agency

Website

https://dema.delaware.gov

Company type

Private

Founded year

1951

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) is a state government agency, established 1951, that coordinates emergency preparedness, training, response, recovery, and mitigation across Delaware through the State Emergency Operations Center, DENS public alerting, the Delaware School Safety Center, SERC hazardous materials oversight, and federal FEMA grant administration.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Emergency Management Services

NAICS

Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities (922), Fire Protection (92216)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Emergency Management & National Resilience (Civil Protection) (BPAIAAAI), Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery Planning (EDALAEAM), Chemical Safety & Hazard Communication (Lab Safety, SDS, Chemical Inventory) (EDAEAKAH)

Keywords

• Emergency management services
• Disaster preparedness coordination
• School safety programs
• Emergency notification systems
• Hazard mitigation planning

Headquarters

HQ city

Smyrna

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Federal Emergency Management Grants: DEMA serves as State Administrative Agency (SAA) for federal grants from FEMA and DHS including: Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC), Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA), Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP), Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG), Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), and State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP). Funds are passed through to eligible subrecipients.
2. Hazardous Chemical Inventory Fees: SERC collects approximately $480,000 annually through hazardous chemical inventory reporting fees under EPCRA requirements. Funds distributed to LEPCs, DNREC, and SERC committees.
3. Federal Disaster Recovery Funding: DEMA manages federal disaster recovery funds including over $285 million in COVID-19 (DR4526-DE) assistance and over $7.5 million for Hurricane Ida (DR4627-DE) recovery, distributed to eligible subrecipients.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) coordinates emergency preparedness, training, response, recovery, and mitigation services for the State of Delaware. Its core offerings include operating the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC), running the Delaware Emergency Notification System (DENS), administering the Delaware School Safety Center (DSSC) for K-12 schools, managing federal preparedness and hazard mitigation grants, and coordinating hazardous materials emergency planning through the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC).

Product overview

The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) operates as a division within the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, providing comprehensive emergency management services across four core functions: Preparedness (training, emergency planning, school safety), Response (disaster coordination, SERC hazardous materials oversight, volunteer management), Recovery (individual and public assistance, hazard mitigation), and Grants administration. Key service lines include DENS (Delaware Emergency Notification System) for public alerting, the Delaware School Safety Center for K-12 school safety programs, the Training and Exercise Program for NIMS/ICS certification, the DE IMT for incident management support, and the State of Emergency Driving Restrictions waiver system. The agency also manages federal grants (NSGP, HSGP, EMPG, SLCGP, HMGP, BRIC) and operates the State Emergency Operations Center.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Delaware School Safety Center (DSSC): A hub for collaboration, training, and innovation dedicated to the safety of Delaware's schools, students, and staff. Provides comprehensive school safety resources including active assailant training, behavioral threat assessment, emergency operations planning, and physical safety assessments.
• Delaware Emergency Notification System (DENS)

Products and services

• Delaware Emergency Notification System (DENS)

Quantifiable outcome

• 94,718 students protected through School Safety & Wellness Suite with 764 incidents handled and 78 life threats reported (July 2023 - December 2024)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and major.

• National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017NASRO provides instructor certification for school resource officers. Joey Melvin, DSSC Executive Director, serves as a NASRO instructor since 2017 and previously as Region 3 Director.
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)coreOthers · 1 January 1986FEMA provides federal disaster declarations, Public Assistance funding, Individual Assistance programs, and emergency management guidance. DEMA serves as the State Administrative Agency for FEMA grants including BRIC, HMGP, FMA, HSGP, EMPG, NSGP, and SLCGP.
• Department of Homeland Security (DHS)coreOthersDHS provides funding through preparedness grants and oversees training programs including NTED and Center for Domestic Preparedness. DEMA coordinates DHS courses throughout Delaware.
• Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerDEMA is a division within DSHS. The DSHS Secretary serves as SERC chairperson. DEMA operates under authorization of Delaware Code, Title 20, Chapter 31.
• Smart911coreTechnology or IntegrationSmart911 provides the DENS registration platform allowing Delaware residents to register phone numbers and addresses for emergency alert delivery.
• I Love U Guys FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelaware has adopted the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) and Standard Reunification Method developed by the I Love U Guys Foundation for school emergency actions.
• Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDP, a DHS component, provides resident and mobile training for emergency responders in 12 disciplines including hazardous materials.
• TEEX / National Emergency Response and Rescue Training Center (NERRTC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTexas A&M Engineering Extension Service provides incident management, EMS, hazmat, and public works training through NERRTC.
• National Disaster Preparedness Training Center (NDPC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNDPC at University of Hawaii develops and delivers disaster preparedness training to governmental, private, and non-profit entities.
• National Center for Biomedical Research and Training (NCBRT)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCBRT at LSU provides prevention, deterrence, and response training for terrorist acts and chem/bio/ag-related terrorism.
• Security and Emergency Response Training Center (SERTC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSERTC provides full-scale training in surface transportation emergency preparedness and response.
• Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center (EMRTC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEMRTC at New Mexico Tech specializes in research, development, testing, and analysis of energetic materials for explosive and incendiary attack preparedness.
• Department of Energy Nevada Test Site / CTOSmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCTOS provides training for prevention, deterrence, and response to radiological/nuclear attacks.
• American Red Cross (Delmarva Chapter)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmerican Red Cross manages emergency shelters and provides disaster relief services including house fire support in Delaware.
• Delaware VOADcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVoluntary Organizations Active in Disaster coordinates voluntary agency disaster response and recovery efforts across Delaware.
• Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDHSS provides social service resources including sheltering, mental health support, and public health services during disasters.
• Delaware 211 / United Way of DelawarecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDelaware 211 connects families to health and human services, functions as call center for damage reporting, and provides disaster recovery referrals.
• Crisis Text LinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCrisis Text Line provides 24/7 crisis counseling integrated into the SAFE DE platform for students nationwide.
• Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCERT program trains community volunteers in basic disaster response skills to supplement professional responders.
• Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelDOT provides road closure information, detours, and emergency routes through DelDOT Travel Advisories tool.
• University of DelawaremajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUD operates DE-PLANs (Delaware Equitable Planning for Local Adaptation Needs) for emergency management planning related to older adults, and hosts the School Safety Conference at Carter Conference Center.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM): TDEM is the Texas state agency responsible for emergency management. As a much larger state EMA in a high-disaster-frequency state, it is a broader incumbent that shares DEMA's statutory mission but operates under materially different scale and disaster exposure.
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): FEMA is the federal umbrella agency that DEMA coordinates with as a State Administrative Agency for federal grants. As the broader incumbent in the emergency management hierarchy, FEMA sets national policy and provides pass-through funding that funds DEMA's programs.
• California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES): Cal OES is California's state emergency management agency, operating in a much larger and more disaster-prone state. As a broader incumbent in the same functional space, it shares DEMA's mandate for preparedness, response, recovery, and grant administration but on a substantially larger scale.
• Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM): FDEM is the Florida state EMA, operating in one of the most disaster-prone states. It is a broader incumbent executing the same statutory mission as DEMA but at a substantially larger scale and disaster frequency.

Emerging players

• Raptor Technologies: Raptor Technologies is a private-sector K-12 school safety platform vendor that provides emergency management, visitor management, and threat assessment tools to schools. As an emerging player in DEMA's school safety domain, it represents a commercial alternative to the Delaware School Safety Center's offerings.

Direct peers

• Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA): PEMA is the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's emergency management agency. As a neighboring Mid-Atlantic state agency with a similar statutory mandate for all-hazards coordination, school safety programs, and FEMA grant administration, it is a direct peer in scope and function.
• New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES): DHSES is New York's state-level emergency management and homeland security agency. It is a direct peer for state-level all-hazards coordination, FEMA grant administration, and emergency notification systems, though on a materially larger scale than DEMA.
• Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM): VDEM coordinates emergency management across the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is a direct peer executing an analogous all-hazards preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation mission, including school safety initiatives and federal grant administration.
• Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA): MEMA is the Maryland state agency responsible for coordinating emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. As a similarly-sized Mid-Atlantic state EMA, MEMA is DEMA's closest geographic and functional peer, operating under comparable federal grant frameworks and serving a similar-sized population.
• New Jersey Office of Emergency Management (NEM): NJOEM coordinates emergency management for the State of New Jersey. It is a direct peer operating an analogous mission (preparedness, response, recovery, school safety support) under FEMA grant authorities and is a neighboring Atlantic coastal state EMA with comparable population scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/delawareema
• Facebookfacebook.com/DelawareEMA
• Instagraminstagram.com/delawareema
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/delaware-emergency-management-agency

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Delaware Emergency Management Agency