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Cook County renews Firewise coordinator contract and adopts multi‑jurisdiction hazard mitigation plan
Summary
The board approved a $44,000 annual contract for a Firewise coordinator funded by Title 3 federal dollars and unanimously adopted the county's updated hazard mitigation plan after state and FEMA approvals.
Cook County commissioners voted Jan. 13 to renew a contract for a Firewise program coordinator and to adopt an updated multi‑jurisdiction hazard mitigation plan that has received state and FEMA approval.
Mike Keyport, emergency management, told the board the county has used outside coordinators for years. The current contractor, Paramount Planning Group, assigns a single coordinator — Steve Van Ketrix — whose work Keyport said “really stepped up to the plate.” Commissioner Gale noted the annual contract of $44,000 is paid with Title 3 federal funds, not levy dollars, and staff said additional DNR/Forest Service grant funds helped cover work done in 2026.
Keyport also briefed the board on the county’s hazard mitigation plan, which the state sent on to FEMA; FEMA returned a letter indicating it met federal requirements. The board adopted the Cook County and Grand Portage Reservation Multi‑Hazard Mitigation Plan by resolution, a required final step to maintain eligibility for certain federal mitigation grants.
Commissioners praised the contract’s local value and voted to approve both the Paramount Planning agreement and the mitigation plan without opposition.
Next steps: the county will proceed with the contracted coordinator work and pursue any additional grant funds to update the County Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) as noted in staff materials.
