Guided by West Virginia State Code and the West Virginia Emergency Operations Plan, the agency is responsible for disaster preparedness, response and recovery, and mitigation. The effort to lessen the impact disasters have on people's lives and property, through damage prevention and flood insurance, is mitigation.

During state emergencies, this division activates the State Emergency Operations Center to respond to and coordinate materials and assistance needed by local emergency services to protect lives and property. Local emergency services offices provide direct assistance to citizens. WVDHSEM provides assistance to local emergency services offices.

The agency also coordinates the recovery efforts after the disaster with all responsible government agencies. After a federal disaster declaration, the WVDHSEM works closely with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to administer assistance programs.