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Emergency management coordinator outlines hazard-mitigation priorities; signals retirement and possible shift to sheriff’s office
Summary
Winnebago County emergency management staff reviewed a state-aligned hazard mitigation checklist and told supervisors he plans to retire within three years, prompting discussion about potentially folding emergency communications into the sheriff’s office under Iowa Code 29C.
Winnebago County emergency management coordinator Andy Buffington reviewed a hazard-mitigation risk assessment and a 23-item mitigation checklist during Monday’s meeting and told supervisors he plans to retire within three years.
Buffington described the county’s hazard-priority list, which reflects common state guidance: extreme heat, severe weather, flood mitigation work (drainage, culverts and levees), backup generators, watershed studies, and shelter capacity. “If the county had an unlimited budget … think about, you know, for, like, extreme heat, you know, heating and cooling shelters,” Buffington said while walking supervisors through the list.
Buffington also said he will discuss long-term succession with Sheriff Hebrick because, under Iowa law, the sheriff’s office can house an emergency-management coordinator. “I will be retiring in less than three years … what I’m hoping to do is have a conversation with Sheriff Hebrick to see if we could somehow incorporate that into something,” Buffington said, noting a regionalization trend and that several counties already use shared/regional coordinators.
Why it matters: Supervisors will need to plan the transition and preserve institutional knowledge for training, regional coordination and FEMA/state grant eligibility. Buffington said there is a 30-day public-comment period before the plan is finalized and that he will forward the draft to county distribution once complete.
Next steps: Buffington will finish outreach to remaining communities, finalize the plan, and submit it for public comment and distribution to county staff. He said he will talk with the sheriff about whether the county should fold emergency communications and coordination into the sheriff’s office before his retirement.
Ending: The county will circulate the draft for a 30-day public-comment period and then return to supervisors with feedback and any recommended mitigation projects.
