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Harrisonburg updates joint Emergency Operations Plan; council adopts four‑year plan
Summary
Council adopted the updated Harrisonburg–Rockingham–JMU Emergency Operations Plan, a required four‑year document that outlines authorities, emergency support functions and the city’s use of the Everbridge alert system.
City emergency management staff explained the required four‑year update to the joint Emergency Operations Plan that covers the city, Rockingham County and James Madison University. Presenters said the plan sets the framework for local declarations, resource coordination, emergency procurement and 17 emergency support functions, and clarified roles (the City Manager is the director; the fire chief runs day‑to‑day emergency operations).
Staff described the Everbridge alert system (branded locally as Harrisonburg‑Rockingham Emergency Alert) and other outreach tools used to reach residents during incidents. Council asked about hospital involvement, continuity with county coordination structures and how the city maintains operational procedures that sit beneath the plan.
Council moved to adopt the updated Emergency Operations Plan presented by staff and approved it by roll call. Staff said routine reviews and interagency exercises will continue, and that specific incident annexes and operational procedures remain in departmental policy documents.
