DeKalb Emergency Management Agency (DEMA)
Preparing, Protecting, and Responding
The DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) serves citizens through effective planning, response, and mitigation of natural and man-made disasters.
Service Area: DeKalb County and 13 incorporated cities including Avondale Estates, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Clarkston, Decatur, Doraville, Dunwoody, Lithonia, Pine Lake, Stonecrest, Stone Mountain, Tucker, and sections of Atlanta within DeKalb County.
Leadership
Director Dr. Clare Avory
Dr. Clare “Cj” Avory brings more than 20 years of experience in operations, crisis leadership, and emergency preparedness to DeKalb County, following her role as Associate Director of Emergency Preparedness at Louisiana State University.
As Director of the DeKalb County Department of Emergency Management, Dr. Avory leads the county’s efforts to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies and disasters. She works closely with local, state, and federal partners to strengthen coordination, protect the community, and support continuity of operations.
At LSU, Dr. Avory managed daily operations of the University’s Emergency Operations Center. She coordinated planning and response efforts across departments including Athletics, Facilities, Environmental Health and Safety, and Residential Life, as well as external agencies. Her work led to university-wide preparedness plans and procedures that improved coordination and institutional readiness.
Prior to joining DeKalb County, Dr. Avory held leadership roles in law enforcement and emergency services across Louisiana, where she helped guide response operations and continuity planning for nearly two decades.
Dr. Avory holds a Doctor of Management in Homeland Security and Emergency Management from Colorado Technical University, a Master of Science in Emergency Management from Arizona State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Disaster Services and Emergency Management from LSU–Alexandria.
Deputy Director Cary Hollis
Mission, Vision, & Philosophy
Our mission is to protect residents by strengthening a countywide culture of preparedness and resilience. We do this by coordinating agencies and communities to ensure effective prevention, response, and recovery during emergencies.
A DeKalb County that is safe, resilient, and ready for any emergency, where residents and partners have the knowledge and resources to respond and recover.
Public safety comes first. Disasters are inevitable but major harm is not. Simple, realistic plans work better than complex plans that cannot be implemented. Strong partnerships and clear communication save lives. Decisions should be driven by data, lessons learned, and a focus on those most at risk.
One DeKalb. One Mission. One Future.
Our Services
Emergency Preparedness
- Hazard mitigation planning
- Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
- School Safety Programs & Planning
- Public Education & Outreach
Emergency Response
- Emergency Operations Center (EOC) management
- 24-hour Coordination of Emergency Resources
- Multi-agency DisasterResponse Coordination
- Crisis Communications & Public Alerts
Community Programs
- Extreme Temperature Sheltering Coordination
- Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)
Quick Links
- Find Warming/Cooling Centers
- Request Community Education - Call 770-270-0413
- Join CERT Training
Email: dekalbema@dekalbcountyga.gov
Contact Information
DeKalb Emergency Management Agency (DEMA)
Main Office: 1950 West Exchange Place, Tucker, GA 30084
Phone: 770-270-0413
Email: dekalbema@dekalbcountyga.gov
Director: Dr. Clare Avory
Emergency Services For Life-Threatening Emergencies: Call 9-1-1
- Community Outreach
- LEPC Meetings
- School Safety
- Hazard Mitigation 2023
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