County emergency staff says FEMA approved mitigation plan; formal resolution, siren reporting and EOP rewrite next

County emergency management staff told the Policy & Procedure Committee on Sept. 4 that the county’s Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan has been approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and that the only remaining local step is a formal county resolution to adopt it.

The plan’s adoption matters because FEMA approval is a condition for some federal preparedness funds and for the plan’s effective date to be recorded, county staff said. That effective date could be important if the county accepts grants tied to the plan.

Staff said the mitigation plan was prepared by the consultant American Environmental and that “the natural hazard mitigation plan, we’re done. It’s been approved by FEMA,” adding that one administrative step remains: placing a formal resolution on a board agenda so the board can sign and adopt the plan. Staff said the plan will remain a “live document” requiring annual review meetings to meet FEMA specifications.

Committee members discussed timing for the next five‑year update…