Berkeley County approves written MOU with local health department to formalize emergency collaboration

Randy Lilly, Berkeley County emergency services director, asked the commission on May 8 to authorize a memorandum of understanding between the Berkeley County Office of Emergency Management and the Berkeley–Morgan County Board of Health.

“[The MOU] just basically puts what we've been doing in the past in writing, in black and white,” Lilly told the commission, describing an ongoing partnership the office and the health department used during the COVID-19 pandemic and other incidents.

Nut graf: The commission voted to approve the MOU at the meeting. County staff and Lilly said the document formalizes roles the agencies already follow and does not add new authorities beyond existing practice.

Lilly told the commission the two agencies have historically coordinated on logistics, communication and support for first responders and public-health outreach, and that the local health department has been “very active in our LEPC” (Local Emergency Planning Committee). Commissioners asked no substantive follow-up questions before moving to a vote; an approving motion was made and seconded and the vote passed with all commissioners saying “aye.”

The MOU, as described at the meeting, will be signed by county officials to authorize staff-level collaboration and does not, in the presentation, alter county code, budgets or statutory authority. Lilly said the memorandum codifies established practices such as joint planning, mutual support during incidents and shared communication channels.

Ending: The commission approved the MOU by voice vote; county staff will circulate the final, signed agreement and continue joint preparedness activities with the health department.