The mission of the Pittsburgh Emergency Management Agency is to reduce the vulnerability of the populace and property of the city to injury and loss resulting from natural or man-made disasters; to provide prompt and efficient rescue, care and treatment of persons threatened or victimized by disaster; to provide for rapid and orderly restoration and recovery following disasters; and to effectively educate the public regarding their responsibilities in responding to disasters affecting the city.

From the G-20 Summit to the Fourth of July, the Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (OEMHS) is a key player in all emergency management and Homeland security operations within the City of Pittsburgh.

OEMHS works with city, county, regional, state, and federal government partners, businesses, and non-government organizations to develop all hazards plans for natural disasters and man-made events. OEMHS serves as a conduit for interagency coordination and provides interoperable communications capabilities to first responders and other key stakeholders during emergency scenarios and special events. The entire spectrum of emergency management operations from preparation to recovery and mitigation is the responsibility of OEMHS.

OEMHS has increased public outreach efforts lately by providing training to local volunteers through Citizen's Corps initiatives such as Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT). By training individuals across the city, OEMHS has helped to improve both the safety and resiliency of the city and its citizens, and seeks to continue this progress.