Glenn Boyd, Erie County’s emergency manager, told the Board of County Commissioners on Aug. 19 that FEMA has approved the county’s multi-hazard mitigation plan and that the county is preparing a debris‑management plan and other operational documents.

Boyd and several commissioners discussed a proposed organizational change that would place Emergency Management under the sheriff’s direct supervision rather than split between administration and operations. Boyd said the sheriff has expressed full support for moving Emergency Management directly under the sheriff; Boyd said the current split occasionally forced him to navigate conflicting direction from two supervisors. Commissioners said the change would improve "unity of command," better align with National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the Incident Command System (ICS) principles, and simplify operational decision‑making during incidents. Several commissioners indicated general support and asked staff to bring a formal proposal to a work session for specifics.

The board also pressed for increased compliance with NIMS training requirements. Boyd reported the county’s NIMS training completion rate had risen from about 26.47% to 32% since the last report. Commissioners and staff discussed practical barriers — competing supervisor priorities, onboarding timing and scheduling — and debated appropriate timelines and enforcement mechanisms for completion. Some commissioners advocated for a short compliance window (six weeks) tied to onboarding; others recommended more gradual timelines (three months) and cautioned against overloading new hires.

Commissioners recommended that the county manager direct department heads to set aside time for staff to complete NIMS coursework, consider including NIMS expectations in onboarding materials, and explore in‑person or group sessions to improve uptake. Boyd said he will return with operational recommendations and a plan to increase NIMS compliance and to present a debris management draft for a work session in September.