Local governments' goal is to perform rapid assessment accurately and, within the first few hours after an incident, provide an adequate response for life-threatening situations and imminent hazards. In large rural areas with low manpower and resources, such as exists in Cibola County, governments partner to ensure adequate response, from the smallest emergency to major events. Only when a disaster goes beyond local resources can local governments turn to the state for assistance. A “Disaster Resolution” must be furnished.

Authority and responsibility for emergency management at the state level rests with the governor. Working with the state Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, the governor activates the state's emergency plans, sending state police, National Guard, highway, health and other departments as needed. When the state's resources are overwhelmed, the governor may submit a formal request to the president.  The president has authority to declare a federal declaration, then the Federal Response Plan is activated and a designated Federal Emergency Management Agency representative coordinates with the state and local officials.

All levels of government share Constitutional responsibility for the preservation of life and property of the citizenry; therefore, it is critical for each to have plans, resources, policies and procedures and be able to preserve and maintain ability to carry out executive, legislative and judicial processes under the threat or occurrence of any emergency condition that could disrupt such processes and services. This is called “Continuity of Government”. Officials must have knowledge, training and capability to act and departments must have the appropriate equipment, training and knowledge to carry out lawful emergency operations.

Because of increasing threats, magnitude and type of disasters, national priorities have evolved and changed. Today, the “National Response Framework” requires all governments, including community partners and stakeholders, to comply with the “National Incident Management System,” which unifies the emergency management system across America. All who have a responsibility for emergencies must complete required training and officials must ensure their jurisdictions are in compliance with NIMS components.

Cibola County's LEPC is the hub for countywide, cooperative, emergency planning and offers help to government and community to develop plans and comply with “NIMS” and other laws.