The Board of County Commissioners read and adopted a proclamation on July 31 declaring August 2025 as National Emergency Management Awareness Month in Hamilton County and praised the county Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency for preparedness and coordination work.

Nick Crossley, representing the Hamilton County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, addressed the board and described the county’s preparedness posture and recent investments. Crossley highlighted several county efforts: a new public-safety warehouse to house response supplies and equipment, a relocated and upgraded combined 9-1-1 and EMA center in Springdale, ongoing partnerships with the county’s 49 municipal jurisdictions, and an extensive network of nonprofit and private-sector partners used for response and recovery.

Why it matters: County officials said the frequency and scale of disasters nationally make local preparedness essential. Commissioners praised the EMA’s training emphasis, interjurisdictional coordination, alerting systems (wireless emergency alerts, outdoor sirens, Alert Hamilton County, EAS and weather radios), and steady monitoring for changing federal expectations about shifting response responsibilities to state and local governments.

Quotes from the meeting
- Commissioner Driehaus: “You have a very stellar national reputation.”
- Nick Crossley (EMA): “It takes all of Hamilton County to help all of Hamilton County, and we serve all residents of Hamilton County.”
- Crossley described Hurricane Ike (2008) and inland derecho events as examples of how distant weather systems can cause large local impacts and underscored the need for readiness.

Discussion versus decision: The board formally adopted the proclamation recognizing Emergency Management Awareness Month (ceremonial action). The agency’s remarks also described operational investments and ongoing training, but no policy or appropriation action was requested at the meeting.

Clarifying details
- Investments cited: a new public-safety warehouse for supplies and an upgraded 9-1-1/EMA center in Springdale to improve countywide coordination.
- Alerting systems listed: wireless emergency alerts, outdoor warning sirens, Alert Hamilton County, Emergency Alert System (EAS), and weather radios.

Next steps: The proclamation is ceremonial recognition; EMA will continue training, public education and coordination with municipalities and partners.