About Us
Division of Emergency Management
What is the Division of Emergency Management (DEM)?
DEM (pronounced D-E-M) plays an active role during emergencies and disasters. The Division coordinates emergency management efforts among State agencies, in collaboration with federal and local government. These efforts include preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation.
DEM also brings subject matter experts and multiple state agencies together at the State Emergency Operations Center to support and coordinate response and recovery as needed.
Though Utah is not located in the hurricane path or tornado alley, disasters strike here. For the list of threats and hazards in Utah see the State Hazard Mitigation Plan. When no incidents are underway, the Division’s year-round efforts prepare the State of Utah to better respond to and recover from disasters.
Vision: Keeping Utah safe and resilient through a foundation of emergency preparedness.
Mission: Lead, unite, and collaborate with stakeholders to build an effective emergency management program through disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
DEM prepares individuals and communities for disasters through outreach and training programs and passing through federal grants. The division trains (link to DEM training) nearly 2,000 emergency responders annually in areas such as domestic preparedness, hazardous materials, public information, incident command, professional development and others.
Thousands of Utahans receive emergency preparedness education material from DEM through our Be Ready Utah program. This information helps families prepare to be self-reliant during a disaster situation.
But that is not all we do. DEM also administers various ongoing programs that make Utah a safer, better place to live:
- Be Ready Utah
- Search and Rescue Advisory Board
- Hazardous Materials
- National Flood Insurance Program
- Flood Mitigation Assistance Program
- DEM Earthquake Program
- Public Alert and Warning (Response Bureau)
- Community Liaison Officer Program
- State Hazard Mitigation Program
- State Emergency Response Team (Response Bureau)
- Utah Certified Emergency Manager Program
Meet The Leadership
Director - Kris Hamlet
Kris Hamlet has been with the Utah Division of Emergency Management (Utah DEM) since 1995 and was appointed as Director in July 2013. Kris has also held the titles of Deputy Director, Bureau Chief, Financial Manager, Support Services Coordinator, Accountant, Auditor, and Intern.
At DEM, Kris is in charge of overseeing 60 employees and working with the state agencies and local communities to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies, disasters and catastrophic events. During times of activation, Kris serves as a State Coordinating Officer and one of the Governor’s Authorized Representatives.
Kris attended Westminster College of Salt Lake City, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Business, a minor in Spanish and a Masters of Business Administration with a certificate in Marketing.
Deputy Director - Judy Watanabe
Judy Watanabe joined the Division of Emergency Management in 1992. She was appointed deputy director Oct. 6, 2014.
She served in the Training and Mitigation sections and served as the State Floodplain Manager for most of her career before being appointed Operations Bureau chief. Judy helped coordinate the 2012 and 2013 Utah ShakeOut earthquake exercises and the FEMA/State of Utah Catastrophic Plan. She coordinates the annual Public Safety Summit and enjoys the friendships she has made throughout the emergency management community.
Judy grew up in Salt Lake County, graduating from good ol’ Granite High School and the University of Utah, where she majored in mass communications with an emphasis in public relations.
She is married to Troy Watanabe and they have three children.
Deputy Director - Erick Wiedmeier
Erick R. Wiedmeier became Deputy Director of the Division of Emergency Management in October 2024.
Prior to serving in this position with the Division of Emergency Management, Erick retired from the United States Army after 34 years of service. In his final military role, he served as the Plans and Ops Division Chief and Joint Domestic Operations Officer at Draper, Utah, acting as a Joint Staff Officer and liaison to the State of Utah, the National Guard Bureau, United States Northern Command (NORTHCOM), and FEMA for National Guard Civil Support to Civil Authorities. Erick has experience in command, leadership, and management. He has been deployed to Iraq, serving in command positions for two different Field Artillery Batteries and as an operations Officer. He has 18 years of experience planning and conducting training exercises with sister services and partner Nations.
Building on his leadership foundation, Erick is a graduate of the US Army War College with a master’s degree in strategic studies. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology from Utah State University.
Outside of his professional achievements, Erick is married to Carrie and has four children and five grandchildren.
