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Scott County emergency manager briefs board on updated operations plan, sheltering constraints
Summary
Emergency management coordinator reviewed the county's emergency operations plan, explained ESF roles, sheltering and volunteer challenges, and said the plan must be reapproved by the board at least every four years; staff scheduled tabletop exercises for October.
Jeff Gricky, Scott County's emergency management coordinator, told the Board of Supervisors the county is revising its emergency operations plan ahead of a required board reapproval cycle. Gricky said the basic plan follows the state's template, assigns responsibilities across ESFs (Emergency Support Functions) for transportation, communications, public works, mass care and other functions, and is grounded in Virginia disaster and emergency law.
Gricky described material constraints the county faces during major incidents: limited volunteer capacity for sustained large exercises, a modest stock of shelter supplies (roughly 35 cots and trailerized assets), and limited local generators or school backup power for large-scale sheltering. He noted the county maintains a foam stockpile (about 600 gallons) for hazardous-material firefighting and coordinates with regional hazardous-materials teams for radiological or complex incidents.
The coordinator outlined practical steps for improving preparedness: scheduled tabletop drills (a tabletop on or about Oct. 20), continuing to register and vet volunteers, working with regional partners (American Red Cross chapter in Bristol), and pursuing grant opportunities for mitigation and backup power. He also encouraged residents to have battery-powered radios and other basic preparedness supplies.
Board members discussed communications challenges experienced during recent storms (cell congestion and power outages) and pressed staff to prioritize generator and shelter resources where feasible. Gricky said staff will continue updating the plan and return it to the board for reapproval next year as required.
Next steps: county staff will schedule drills and seek potential funding streams for backup power and sheltering enhancements.
