Fulton County Emergency Management Agency (FCEMA): Your Guide to Emergency Preparedness in Atlanta

The Fulton County Emergency Management Agency (FCEMA) is the main agency responsible for coordinating planning, response, and recovery for disasters and major emergencies in Atlanta and the rest of Fulton County. If you live, work, or visit Atlanta, FCEMA plays a central role in keeping you informed and helping the community stay prepared.

This guide explains what FCEMA does, how it affects you in Atlanta, and practical steps you can take to stay safe before, during, and after emergencies.

What FCEMA Does for Atlanta Residents

FCEMA is Fulton County’s official emergency management office. It works behind the scenes year-round to help the Atlanta area prepare for and manage:

• Severe weather (thunderstorms, tornadoes, flooding, winter weather)
• Public health emergencies
• Hazardous materials incidents
• Large-scale fires and infrastructure failures
• Terrorism and security incidents
• Major events and mass gatherings

For people in Atlanta, FCEMA’s work generally falls into four areas:

1. Preparedness and Planning

   • Coordinates emergency plans for Fulton County and its cities, including the City of Atlanta
   • Works with police, fire, EMS, public health, schools, and utilities
   • Develops evacuation and shelter plans for different types of hazards

2. Public Alerts and Information

   • Helps issue emergency alerts, warnings, and public information
   • Supports communication about road closures, shelters, and safety instructions

3. Response Coordination

   • Activates and runs the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during major incidents
   • Brings together local, state, and federal agencies to coordinate resources

4. Recovery and Mitigation

   • Supports disaster recovery efforts after storms, fires, or other events
   • Works on long-term strategies to reduce future risk (for example, flood mitigation projects)

If you hear about a major emergency affecting Atlanta on the news, there is a strong chance FCEMA is involved in coordinating the response.

FCEMA Contact and Location Details

For non-emergency questions about preparedness, plans, or programs, Atlanta residents can contact FCEMA directly.

Fulton County Emergency Management Agency (FCEMA)
Office location (administrative):
141 Pryor Street SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

Common contact channels include:

• Main County Information Line: 404-612-4000 (ask for Emergency Management)
• Emergency: Call 911 for any immediate threat to life or property
• Non-emergency public safety (City of Atlanta Police): 404-658-6666

Because office hours, numbers, and specific extensions may change over time, it is a good idea to confirm current details through Fulton County’s main information line or official channels before visiting in person.

How FCEMA Fits with City of Atlanta Emergency Services

Atlanta’s emergency system involves several different agencies that work together:

• FCEMA – County-level emergency management and disaster coordination
• Atlanta Police Department (APD) – Law enforcement within the City of Atlanta
• Atlanta Fire Rescue Department (AFRD) – Fire protection and emergency medical response
• Grady EMS and other EMS providers – Emergency medical transport and care
• Fulton County Board of Health – Public health emergencies and disease control

In a large-scale disaster, FCEMA coordinates the big picture while city departments handle on-the-ground response.

For example:

• In a tornado outbreak, FCEMA may coordinate shelters, resource distribution, and countywide communication, while APD and AFRD handle rescues, traffic control, and fire/medical response in specific neighborhoods.
• During a winter storm, FCEMA may help manage warming centers and coordinate with transportation agencies, while the City of Atlanta focuses on clearing major roads and responding to accidents.

Types of Emergencies Atlanta Residents Should Prepare For

Living in or visiting Atlanta means being aware of a few common local hazards:

1. Severe Thunderstorms and Tornadoes

Atlanta and the greater Fulton County area can experience:

• Intense thunderstorms with damaging winds and hail
• Tornadoes, especially during spring and late fall
• Power outages caused by downed trees and lines

FCEMA works with the National Weather Service (NWS) and local agencies to relay watches and warnings.

Your steps in Atlanta:

• Know the difference:
  • Watch = conditions are favorable; stay alert
  • Warning = tornado or severe storm is occurring or imminent; take shelter immediately
• Identify an interior room on the lowest floor of your home or building, away from windows
• In high-rise buildings (common in Midtown and Downtown), move to interior hallways or stairwells on lower floors if possible

2. Flooding and Flash Flooding

Heavy rain can cause flooding along:

• The Chattahoochee River
• Low-lying neighborhoods and underpasses
• Areas near creeks and drainage channels across Atlanta

Your steps in Atlanta:

• Avoid driving through flooded roads, especially in underpasses along major routes like Peachtree Street, Northside Drive, and near highway interchanges
• If you live in a flood-prone area, discuss sandbagging, insurance, and evacuation plans ahead of major storms

3. Winter Weather

Atlanta occasionally experiences:

• Ice storms
• Freezing rain and sleet
• Light to moderate snow that can still cause major travel disruptions

These events can shut down roads like I-75/85 (the Downtown Connector), I-20, and GA 400, and cause extended power outages.

Your steps in Atlanta:

• Keep an emergency kit at home and in your car (blankets, water, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries)
• Stay tuned to local news and official alerts before commuting

4. Extreme Heat and Air Quality Concerns

Hot, humid summers in Atlanta can lead to:

• Heat advisories and high heat index days
• Poor air quality, especially for sensitive groups

FCEMA may share information about cooling locations, hydration, and safe outdoor activity levels.

5. Hazardous Materials and Infrastructure Incidents

Because Atlanta is a transportation and logistics hub—with Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, rail lines, interstate highways, and fuel infrastructure—hazardous materials incidents and infrastructure failures are possible.

FCEMA helps coordinate:

• Evacuation or shelter-in-place guidance
• Road closures and rerouting around impacted areas
• Public information about what to do and where to go

Staying Informed: Emergency Alerts in Atlanta and Fulton County

Being able to receive timely alerts is one of the most important parts of staying safe.

Ways to Get Alerts

In the Atlanta / Fulton County area, residents commonly use:

• Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on smartphones – Automatic alerts for severe weather, Amber Alerts, and certain emergencies
• Local TV and radio stations – Many Atlantans follow stations that interrupt programming for emergency weather coverage
• NOAA Weather Radio – Especially helpful if cell service is unreliable or during power outages
• County and city alert systems – You can typically sign up for phone, text, and email alerts from Fulton County and the City of Atlanta

Look for options such as:

• Severe weather alerts
• Road closure and traffic incident notifications
• Evacuation or shelter notices
• Boil water advisories and other utility alerts

🔎 Tip: When you move to a new part of Atlanta (for example, from Buckhead to West End or from Midtown to East Atlanta), update your address and preferences in local alert systems so you receive the most relevant notifications.

Basic Personal Preparedness for Atlanta Residents

FCEMA encourages all Fulton County residents, including those in Atlanta, to follow three core steps:

1. Make an Emergency Plan

A simple, written plan makes reacting in a crisis much easier. Include:

• Meeting places
  • One near your home (like a neighbor’s house)
  • One outside your neighborhood (such as a well-known public place)
• Emergency contacts
  • At least one out-of-town friend or relative
• Transportation plans
  • How you will leave your neighborhood if roads are blocked
  • What you’ll do if MARTA service is interrupted

Consider:

• If you live in a high-rise apartment in Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or Atlantic Station:
  • Plan for stairwell use if elevators are out
  • Know multiple exit routes from your building
• If you rely on MARTA bus or rail:
  • Identify alternate bus routes, rideshare options, or carpools for emergencies

2. Build an Emergency Kit

FCEMA and other agencies commonly recommend keeping supplies for at least a few days. For Atlanta, where extreme cold is less common but storms and outages are realistic, focus on:

• Water: At least 1 gallon per person per day
• Non-perishable food: Canned goods, dry snacks, baby formula if needed
• Manual can opener
• Flashlights and extra batteries
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
• First-aid kit
• Copies of important documents (IDs, insurance, key phone numbers)
• Medications and medical supplies as prescribed by your healthcare provider
• Cash in small bills (ATMs may not work during outages)
• Charged power bank for phones
• Seasonal items:
  • For winter: blankets, warm clothing
  • For summer: sunscreen, hats, extra water

If you live in a smaller in-town apartment where storage is tight, focus on compact, multi-use items and rotate food and water regularly.

3. Stay Connected with Local Resources

In a large emergency, knowing where to turn for information and help is crucial.

Key Atlanta-area resources include:

• FCEMA / Fulton County – County-level updates, shelters, recovery centers
• City of Atlanta – Street closures, city service changes, local shelter information
• Atlanta-Fulton County Emergency Management partners, such as law enforcement, fire departments, and public health agencies

Make a note of:

• Local hospitals and urgent care centers near your home and workplace
• The nearest police or fire station
• Any community centers or recreation centers that are often used as shelters or cooling/warming centers during severe events

Special Considerations for Different Atlanta Residents

For Families with Children

• Coordinate with Atlanta Public Schools or your specific school district about their emergency plans.
• Know how you will reunite with your child if an emergency occurs during school hours.
• Teach children how to dial 911 and provide their name, address, and a brief description of the emergency.

For Seniors and People with Access or Functional Needs

• If you or someone in your household uses electric-powered medical equipment (such as oxygen or powered wheelchairs), make backup power plans.
• Keep a list of medications, dosage information, and provider contact information in your emergency kit.
• Consider speaking with local community organizations or social service providers in Atlanta that can help with transportation or support during emergencies.

For Visitors and Business Travelers

If you are staying in a hotel in Downtown, Midtown, the Airport area, or Buckhead:

• Review the hotel’s emergency exits and procedures.
• Store the hotel’s address, room number, and front desk number in your phone.
• Follow hotel staff instructions in the event of a fire alarm, severe weather, or evacuation.

Shelters, Warming Centers, and Cooling Centers in Atlanta

During certain emergencies, FCEMA may coordinate with:

• City of Atlanta government
• Fulton County agencies
• Local nonprofits and community organizations

to open:

• Emergency shelters (for storms, evacuations, or major housing disruptions)
• Warming centers (during extreme cold)
• Cooling centers (during extreme heat)

These locations can include:

• Recreation centers
• Community centers
• Schools and other public buildings

Because specific locations can change depending on the event, listen for current guidance via:

• Official alerts
• Local news
• Public information from FCEMA and partner agencies

What to Do During an Emergency in Atlanta

When an emergency happens, use these simple principles:

1. Follow Official Instructions

• Pay attention to directions from FCEMA, City of Atlanta, and public safety officials.
• If asked to evacuate, leave as soon as it is safe to do so.
• If told to shelter in place, stay inside, close windows and doors, and follow the recommended safety steps.

2. Keep Communication Simple and Brief

• Use text messages when possible to reduce network congestion.
• Check in with your emergency contact outside Atlanta so they can share updates with other family members.

3. Protect Yourself from Common Hazards

• Avoid downed power lines and damaged trees after storms.
• Do not drive or walk through floodwaters.
• Be cautious with candles and generators during power outages to reduce fire and carbon monoxide risks.

Quick Reference: FCEMA and Emergency Basics for Atlanta

Staying informed and prepared is the most effective way to protect yourself and your household in Atlanta. FCEMA focuses on the bigger picture—planning, coordination, and resources—but your personal readiness and awareness are a critical part of how Fulton County, including the City of Atlanta, gets through emergencies safely.