Wythe County adopts emergency operations plan after debate over required diversity language

Wythe County supervisors approved an updated Emergency Operations Plan on Jan. 28, 2025, after discussion about language the county said was required by the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management.

Deputy County Administrator Hankins, who presented the plan, said the county trimmed the document from roughly 150 pages to 127 pages while keeping required content. “This is a plan that we're required to have by the Commonwealth of Virginia. It's administered by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management,” Hankins said, describing 17 functional areas ranging from animal sheltering to evacuation and noting the plan is one mechanism the state and federal governments use when determining eligibility for disaster funding.

The board’s discussion centered on a required statement the presenters described as a diversity/equity/inclusion (DEI) clause. Supervisor Morgan warned the line “is gonna come back and bite us eventually.” Hankins said the state requires language assuring the county will provide services without regard to identity and that staff had attempted to craft neutral wording: “...we don't care what you look like, who you are. If you are in an emergency, we're gonna help you.” Several supervisors said they supported approving the plan to preserve eligibility for federal funding and noted that the statement is limited to service delivery, not hiring or personnel policy.

After questions about review cadence and flexibility for future edits, Hankins said the county must update the plan at least every four years but can revise it sooner if circumstances require. Supervisor Morgan moved to approve the plan; Supervisor Lawson seconded. The board approved the plan on a roll-call vote.

The plan’s adoption restores a formal framework the county will use in disasters and keeps Wythe County eligible for state and federal mitigation and disaster funding tied to compliance with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management’s requirements. Staff said the county will continue to accept comments and can revise the plan before the next four‑year update.

Details that came up during discussion included the plan’s size reduction from about 150 to 127 pages, the inclusion of 17 functional response areas, and the state requirement to include nondiscrimination language. Hankins said the county will maintain the plan’s broad scope while recognizing no plan can cover every contingency.

The board approved the Emergency Operations Plan without amendment.