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Lindon adopts streamlined Emergency Operations Plan emphasizing local, department-based response
Summary
The Lindon City Council unanimously approved Resolution 2026-20-R on July 6 adopting a condensed Emergency Operations Plan that shifts to a department-based Incident Command System, aligns reporting with FEMA community lifelines and identifies the junior high as the primary Red Cross shelter.
The Lindon City Council unanimously adopted an updated Emergency Operations Plan on July 6 that condenses a lengthy FEMA-style document into an operational plan paired with a nonpublic annex and formalizes a department-based Incident Command System.
Emergency Manager Todd Christiansen told the council the revised plan balances three priorities — meeting FEMA grant requirements, creating an operationally useful document and matching the city’s existing resources. He said the change replaces a full ICS incident-command model with a department structure in which city employees perform emergency roles within their normal capacities rather than being reassigned to specialized ICS posts.
Christiansen said the plan includes a simplified common operating picture (a quad-chart) and a color-coded community-lifelines dashboard aligned with the state Division of Emergency Management. “We will report on the status of these lifelines and use the quad-chart to inform leaders on what is going on, what we plan for the next operational period and major issues,” he said.
The presentation also addressed sheltering and animals in disaster: Christiansen said the junior high is the only building within city limits that currently satisfies Red Cross shelter requirements and that animal care remains primarily the responsibility of owners; staff are pursuing voluntary support agreements for animal intake because city resources are limited.
Council members pressed for clarity on how elected officials fit into emergency decision-making and on which mitigation and financial policies the plan references. Christiansen described the “policy group” role — the mayor, city council and city administrator — as the body that provides policy direction, and said the city’s mitigation plan work is part of the Mountain Land Association of Counties process. He also said the plan depends on existing city financial controls and procedures rather than creating separate spending authorities.
After the discussion, Council member Hooley moved to adopt Resolution 2026-20-R; Council member Stewart seconded the motion and the council voted unanimously to approve the measure.
The council noted the plan is a living document that will be updated after exercises and real events and said it expects to test elements during the city’s planned drills, including the Sept. 11 exercise.
