(Lawrenceville, Ga., April 3, 2026) – The Gwinnett County Office of Emergency Management once again achieved national accreditation through the Emergency Management Accreditation Program.

EMAP accreditation is a rigorous set of national benchmarks certified by the American National Standards Institute. It is awarded to programs that demonstrate accountability and continually identify areas for improvement to ensure they are prepared for any natural or technical disaster. 

Gwinnett County’s program was evaluated across 17 key functional areas, including:
•    Hazard mitigation and disaster planning
•    Resource management and communications
•    Training and exercises
•    Incident management and administration

To earn this distinction, Gwinnett County underwent a comprehensive evaluation process, including self-assessment, extensive documentation of policies and peer review by external experts. 

“This accreditation proves that our emergency systems are built on a foundation of excellence,” said Gwinnett County Office of Emergency Management Director Michael Shaw. “It’s a promise to our residents that we are constantly looking for ways to improve our readiness for any disaster.”

EMAP accreditation is valid for five years.

“By meeting rigorous national standards, these programs demonstrate strong leadership and an unwavering commitment to the communities and stakeholders they serve,” said Jody Ferguson, Chair of the EMAP Commission. “We congratulate these programs on achieving EMAP accreditation — an accomplishment that reflects not only their dedication to preparedness and coordination, but also their commitment to continuous improvement.” 

Learn more about Gwinnett County’s emergency preparedness initiatives at GwinnettCounty.com/EMA.