Warrensburg adopts Johnson County 2025–2027 emergency operations plan; city staff to participate in future exercises
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Summary
Council voted to adopt the countywide 2025–2027 Emergency Operations Plan after a staff presentation; questions centered on exercises, PIO coordination and a city-specific succession annex.
The Warrensburg City Council voted unanimously to adopt the 2025–2027 Johnson County Emergency Operations Plan, a countywide document city staff helped shape and will use for coordinated emergency response.
Kenneth D. Jennings, who presented the plan and was identified in the packet as CFO and fire chief, told the council the plan is reviewed every two years and that the city participated in development to avoid maintaining a separate city-only plan. "We started last fall, provided a lot of feedback, made a lot of changes," Jennings said, and noted that the plan retains a city-specific succession annex while otherwise consolidating county emergency functions.
Council members asked about exercises and training tied to the plan. Jennings said Johnson County Emergency Management Agency was planning tabletop and internal exercises, including scenarios to relocate city hall to continue operations. He said the city would have opportunities for elected participation and that the mayor plays a significant role in incident decision-making. Jennings also described the countywide public information coordination that began during the COVID-19 response and said the city’s PIO would join multi-agency PIO efforts when needed.
The council moved and approved the resolution adopting the plan. Roll-call votes recorded "yes" from Kushner, Osborne, Letari, Jones and Euler.
City members said they appreciated the extensive interagency work on the plan and asked staff to share exercise dates once they are scheduled so elected officials can participate or be briefed on their roles. The council did not amend the plan at the meeting.
The plan’s adoption obligates the city to the updated, countywide response framework for the next two fiscal years; staff said they will coordinate planned exercises and training dates with the council and seek opportunities to involve the mayor and other elected officials in tabletop events. No additional budget action was taken at the meeting.
