Riley County Emergency Management

Riley County Emergency Management (RCEM) is the agency responsible for emergency management and public safety coordination within Riley County, United States. It oversees the county’s P25 public safety radio communication system that supports police, fire, and emergency medical services. The agency maintains the 911 dispatch center, ensuring call reception and resource coordination during normal and emergency operations. RCEM also controls the activation of outdoor warning sirens and other alerting mechanisms used to inform the public. In addition to daily coordination, the agency develops and implements emergency plans, conducts training, and manages resource allocation for disasters.

RCEM serves the residents, businesses, and visitors of Riley County, working closely with local law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency medical services. While specific personnel numbers or budget figures are not disclosed in the available sources, the agency operates as a county‑level governmental entity. Its operational footprint is confined to the geographic boundaries of Riley County, yet it can request assistance from state and federal partners when needed. During the April 2024 cybersecurity incident, RCEM demonstrated its ability to transition to backup state radio systems to sustain interoperable communications. The agency’s authority to declare a local disaster emergency enables it to facilitate state resource requests and coordinate multi‑agency responses.

A distinguishing attribute of RCEM is its specialization in maintaining resilient public safety communications, particularly the P25 radio network that is intentionally isolated from other county technology infrastructure. This isolation was highlighted during the 2024 incident, where the radio system was affected while 911 operations and other IT systems remained unaffected. The agency’s competency in managing redundant dispatch consoles allowed it to preserve call handling and siren activation despite the radio outage. RCEM’s role includes regulatory compliance with emergency management standards and coordination with state emergency management agencies for training and exercise participation. These capabilities position RCEM as a critical link in the public safety ecosystem of Riley County, ensuring continuity of essential services during both routine operations and crises.