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Emergency Management warns of grant uncertainty while updating strategic plan and preparedness work
Summary
Acting coordinator Chris Hodgkin said OEM published a strategic plan and is staffing short; he warned that federal EMPG grant timing is uncertain and that nearly all OEM staff are grant‑funded.
Chris Hodgkin, acting coordinator for New Castle County Emergency Management (OEM), briefed the County Council on May 22 about FY26 work priorities, staffing and grant vulnerability.
Hodgkin said OEM released a strategic plan this year and published standard operating procedures, CERT guidance and outreach materials. He reported the coordinator of emergency planning position has been vacant since February 2024 but interviews are scheduled. Hodgkin said FEMA best practices suggest 10–12 emergency management staff for a jurisdiction the size of New Castle County; OEM currently operates with fewer than half that staffing level.
He warned of uncertainty in federal grant cycles: the EMPG (Emergency Management Performance Grant) notice for FY25 had not been released and future funding was uncertain. Hodgkin said most of the office’s positions are grant funded, and continuing or delayed awards could force the county to absorb personnel costs or reduce projects. He noted the hazard mitigation plan update is due in October and that FEMA matches have enabled the county to receive more than $10 million in FEMA reimbursements over the past five years.
Hodgkin outlined a small amount of discretionary funding in OEM’s FY26 request (about $8,152) for outreach, training, contract match for hazard mitigation planning and modest office supplies; the larger portion of the $480,308 budget request is salary and cross‑charges.
Councilmembers asked about special‑population and radiological planning for the Pilgrim Point/Peach Bottom (Port Penn) emergency planning zone; Hodgkin said OEM maintains a smart‑9‑1‑1 database of access and functional needs and conducts annual outreach and exercises and agreed to include councilmembers in upcoming trainings.
No council action was taken on staffing or grants May 22; Hodgkin’s presentation focused on preparedness priorities and the need for sustained federal funding.
