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Commissioners adopt countywide multi-hazard mitigation plan after FEMA grant-funded update
Summary
The Board adopted Resolution R-18-C-2025 approving St. Joseph County's EMA multi-hazard mitigation plan, a FEMA-eligible document prepared with Christopher Burke Engineering and supported by a federal grant and in‑kind county contribution.
The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved Resolution R-18-C-2025 on Oct. 14, adopting an updated countywide multi-hazard mitigation plan prepared by Christopher B. Burke Engineering.
Al Kirsitz, director of the county's Emergency Management Agency (EMA), said the plan update was funded by a federal hazard-mitigation grant awarded in 2023 for $20,000 and required a $7,000 in-kind local contribution of staff time and community participation. Kirsitz described the plan as essential for eligibility for certain FEMA mitigation and reimbursement programs following disasters.
“We were awarded a BRIC grant in 2023 for $20,000. We had to do a $7,000 in-kind contribution,” Kirsitz said, noting the in-kind amount was documented as staff time and community participation at several meetings held to gather data. He said the plan contains demographic, employment and hazard-identification analyses and that a late addition incorporated recent developments in the New Carlisle area.
Kirsitz said the county's approval establishes coverage countywide and that municipalities — including the cities of South Bend and Mishawaka and the towns of Lakeville, New Carlisle, Roseland and Walkerton — are expected to consider adoption to align with the county plan.
Commissioners asked whether community participants included representatives from townships and municipalities; Kirsitz confirmed attendees were broadly representative and identified in the plan.
The motion to adopt Resolution R-18-C-2025 carried unanimously.
