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Council adopts regional hazard mitigation plan to preserve FEMA funding eligibility
Summary
Sumter County Council adopted Resolution R-2602 accepting a five-year regional hazard mitigation plan developed with the Santee-Lynches COG, South Carolina Emergency Management Division and FEMA; the plan catalogs common regional hazards and recommended mitigation steps to remain eligible for federal disaster funds.
Sumter County Council voted to adopt Resolution R-2602 on March 24, approving a regional hazard mitigation plan that the Santee-Lynches Council of Governments updated in cooperation with county emergency management and FEMA.
Rob Librand, the county’s emergency management director, said the plan catalogs ordinary regional hazards — including flooding, drought, tornado, hurricane and wildfire — and documents preparedness, mitigation and recovery steps tailored to Sumter County. "It is a comprehensive plan of the COG, but specifically focuses on Sumter County," Librand said, noting the plan is renewed every five years and is a prerequisite for FEMA funding eligibility.
Jeff Parkey of the Santee-Lynches COG said the plan identifies mitigation priorities such as backup power at critical facilities, shelter audits, communication and evacuation planning, and other measures to keep jurisdictions eligible for federal grants. "A major reason why is to keep our jurisdictions eligible for FEMA funding," Parkey said.
Council moved and seconded adoption of R-2602; the resolution passed by voice vote. Librand thanked the COG and staff for two years of work on the plan and noted FEMA review can require iterative edits before final federal approval.
What happens next: Staff will submit the adopted plan to FEMA and address any follow-up corrections required by FEMA to secure final approval and preserve eligibility for related disaster-mitigation and preparedness grants.
