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 and for future grant cycles. Staff noted the current five‑year cycle can be adjusted by setting an effective date; they recommended starting the update process two to three years before the plan expires so the county can apply for grants on schedule. Staff told the committee that the grant they sought to buy a warning siren for the fairgrounds was “100% funded this time around,” and that if that or a similar grant is accepted the county would need to enact the plan promptly so funds could be accepted.

Committee discussion also focused on siren testing and accountability. Staff told the committee they have asked for monthly siren test confirmation forms dating back to May 2024 to look for anomalies and to identify jurisdictions where activations failed. Staff said telecommunicators print the test forms and that the county’s emergency office should receive copies for follow‑up. “All I want is a copy of what is the proof in their office of who received the test and the confirmation that their sirens in their jurisdictions has worked,” staff said, adding they will keep the item on monthly reports until the documentation and follow‑up are clear.

Staff described outreach and public training plans. They said they are working with the county health department to offer combined community classes — CPR, Stop the Bleed and Narcan training — and aim to host larger sessions at schools with 30–60 participants rotating through hour‑long modules.

The committee heard that the county’s emergency operations plan (EOP) is being rewritten to include detailed annexes tailored to local needs, including an animal‑welfare annex for large‑animal disease and carcass disposal, and mortuary procedures. Staff said they will solicit technical input from the county coroner, the Illinois Department of Agriculture contacts and local Farm Bureau representatives before finalizing those annexes. The EOP will be distributed to jurisdictions on thumb drives rather than printed binders because the full document will be lengthy.

Staff also said state administrative rules that affect the plan remain under revision; coordinators from the northern part of the state and IEMA representatives met recently and staff will attend a central Illinois coordination meeting to seek clarification. Staff emphasized they will proceed with the local rewrite but may need to revise the EOP if the state finalizes different requirements.

Committee directions and next steps recorded in the meeting included placing the mitigation resolution on the next board agenda for formal action, continuing the EOP rewrite in coordination with American Environmental and state contacts, and obtaining the monthly siren‑test logs and follow‑up documentation for review. No final board adoption occurred at this meeting.

The committee meeting included public‑meeting comments and internal committee reports where the emergency items were discussed; staff said they will notify the board when the resolution is ready and will coordinate the annual review schedule required by FEMA.