Committee discusses need for public information capacity for emergency services; county building security set for executive session

Committee members discussed an ongoing effort to improve public information for emergency services, including whether a dedicated public information officer (PIO) or an on-call arrangement should be established to provide timely, accurate information to the public and news outlets during off-hours incidents. County administration briefed the committee on conversations to improve internal communications among the sheriff—s office, emergency management, public works and IT, and said Emergency Management Director Scott Golden should be part of further planning. The chair noted the need for someone available at odd hours to take information from first responders and produce timely releases. The committee did not adopt a final plan and instead agreed to schedule another meeting with the emergency management director, sheriff and DPW to continue the discussion. Separately, the chair stated county building security would be addressed in executive session because the matter could imperil public safety if disclosed.