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Henry County emergency management outlines 2026 EOP updates, pet response MOUs and World Cup planning
Summary
County emergency management briefed commissioners on updating Emergency Operations Plans for 2026, drafting memoranda of understanding for pet response and veterinarian support, warming-shelter planning with local churches and the Benson Center, and CERT training and outreach ahead of 2026 regional events.
Henry County emergency-management officials told the commission on Dec. 4 that they will update the county's Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs) for 2026, add a dedicated pet-response section to reflect memoranda of understanding with regional partners and local veterinarians, and consolidate contact lists for rapid use during events.
An official briefing noted plans to negotiate MOUs with regional offices and veterinarians (Elroy Schumacher was mentioned as a potential veterinary partner) so trailers and veterinary services can be mobilized during disasters. The Benson Center and fairgrounds were discussed as potential long-term emergency operations or warming-shelter sites; the county stated it can power those facilities using a generator if needed.
Officials also described ongoing weekly Everbridge coordination and a planned CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) training campaign, aiming for classroom sessions in early March 2026 with two weekly evening sessions and a final Saturday exercise at the Benson Center. The presenter said Gloria, the county's CEMA representative, "will be going over our 2026 EOPs" and staff will update phone lists and response protocols for hazards such as severe weather, flooding and hazardous-material events (Unidentified Speaker 4).
Why this matters: Updates to EOPs and formal MOUs with veterinary and shelter partners affect how the county responds to disasters, including continuity of services such as warming shelters and mass communication during large events. Officials flagged the 2026 FIFA World Cup regional activity as a reason to plan for increased transient demand on local resources.
Next steps: Emergency management will complete EOP updates, finalize MOUs, roll out CERT recruitment and training and coordinate with the Fair Board on shelter logistics.
Sources: Meeting record of Dec. 4 Henry County Commission.
