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Tabletop exercises test disaster and election continuity; two legislative items appear stalled
Summary
SCEMA hosted an IHSEM natural‑disaster tabletop on March 25 focused on health, sheltering and mass‑fatality response; the April 15 meeting also noted a March 30 Secretary of State election‑security exercise. Two legislative items (SF2458 and HSB689) appear inactive despite Ways and Means recommendation; IEMA does not expect further movement.
At its April 15 meeting the Story County Emergency Management Commission reviewed recent tabletop exercises and a legislative update.
SCEMA reported it hosted a March 25 tabletop exercise facilitated by Iowa Homeland Security & Emergency Management with local partners that simulated a natural disaster and emphasized health and medical issues, sheltering and mass‑fatality response. Melissa Spencer thanked Supervisor Linda Murken and Mayor Jackie Sapp for attending; Sapp said the exercise highlighted planning work Kelley needs to complete to remain operational during a disaster.
On March 30 county staff, Sheriff Paul Fitzgerald, the Story County auditor and IT personnel participated in a Secretary of State exercise that overlaid a winter storm on an election to test continuity and security of voting operations. Staff described the exercise as very hands‑on and valuable.
The commission also discussed two legislative items, SF2458 and HSB689. Meeting minutes noted Ways and Means recommended passage but that both bills had not moved further; the Iowa Emergency Management Association does not expect additional action this session. Chair Murken thanked SCEMA staff and Josh Harding for support to The Warming Place during the winter.
