Cass County approves mutual-aid memorandums with Hunter, Page and Erie Township; introduces new emergency management director

The Cass County Board of Commissioners authorized memorandums of understanding for emergency assistance with the city of Hunter, the city of Page and Erie Township and welcomed Cole Baker as the county’s new emergency management director.

County staff said the agreements were prepared after lessons learned during June storms and have been reviewed by the state's attorney’s office. Baker, who the county introduced as having experience at state and FEMA levels and who has already toured local communities and met with local fire departments, told the board he is working with the Page Fire Department and has visited areas affected by recent storm damage.

A motion to authorize the commission chair to sign the memorandums of understanding was moved by Commissioner Kepp and was approved on a roll-call vote with commissioners recorded as voting in favor.

Why it matters: Mutual-aid agreements set the framework for local jurisdictions to request and provide emergency assistance. Officials said having formal agreements in place will support coordinated response and recovery in future events.

What the county said: Mr. Wilson noted the county had learned from storm response following June 20 and described the agreements as a way to ensure mutual aid can be provided formally when needed. Baker said the MOUs will help formalize existing community partnerships.

Next steps: The commission chair will sign the agreements so they can be executed with the named municipalities and township.