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Hocking County adopts updated continuity of operations plan and approves LEPC appointments
Summary
The board approved a revised county continuity of operations plan (COOP) and ratified appointments to the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC); EMA director Mark Edgar issued sealed copies to commissioners and noted only commissioners and EMA directors may activate the plan.
Hocking County commissioners on July 10 voted to adopt an updated continuity of operations plan and approved appointments to the county’s Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC).
Mark Edgar, the county’s emergency management director, told the board he had distributed updated digital copies and would issue sealed copies of the COOP to each commissioner. He said the plan is intended to preserve essential government functions during emergencies — natural disasters, pandemics, cyberattacks and other disruptive events — and that "the board of commissioners and the EMA directors are the only ones in the county that can activate the plan if necessary." Director of IT Mark Stout will also receive a complete copy for use should activation be required.
Edgar also presented an updated LEPC roster, required every two years by the state emergency response commission. The board approved the slate of nominees, which the EMA director read into the record. Appointees include public safety, health, transportation, media, community groups and private‑sector representatives: Chief Chris Maly (Logan Fire Department), Molly Mellinger (Chatham County Fire Association chair), Chief Gary Mellinger (Logan PD), Chief Deputy Penny Stack (County Sheriff’s Office), John Adams (Hocking County Amateur Radio Emergency Services), Curtis Golden (hospital ER director), Angela Cheddar (ER charge nurse), Commissioner Jamie Carroll (health), Ashley Cobham Barth (environmental health), Thomas Velaso (transportation supervisor, Hocking County Schools), Carrie Beck (Logan Public Transit), Scott Vermillion (WOTN radio), Jim Phillips (Daily News reporter), Joy Evangelista (community group), Kelly Nighthizer (South Central Ohio Development Family Services), Josh Gatewood (Anel Milling), Chris Hall (South Central Power), Rhonda Moore (Hocking County 9‑1‑1), Bruce Underwood (Hocking Valley Hunters Radio Club), Captain Ryan Gabriel (Logan Police Department), Chris Douglas (Hocking County EMS supervisor) and Lieutenant Ryan Swigert (Hocking Hills State Park).
Edgar told commissioners the LEPC would meet three to four times a year. The board approved both the COOP and the LEPC roster by voice vote.
