DES coordinator warns of reduced EMPG funding, presses for siren and radio upgrades

Mary (speaker 14), who identified herself to the board, told commissioners the federal Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) allotments for small counties have been reduced and told the board the county should plan for a greater local share of the DES coordinator’s position and related expenses.

She said, "At one time these small counties were eligible up to $25,000 a year. We're now down to 10," describing an expected reduction in cost-sharing and urging the county to consider whether to maintain funding for the coordinator role. Mary also reported that a proposed second siren application scored better when threat and mitigation assessments, LEPC minutes and exercises were included with the application — documentation she encourages for future grant rounds.

Separately, multiple speakers described a recent incident in which a structure fire was not reliably communicated to volunteers because paging and radio systems failed, amplifying urgency around a stalled tower and last-mile contract. Commissioners discussed pursuing both FAA clearance for a tower and an interim fiber/microwave backhaul so radio equipment and logging recorders can be activated sooner. The board agreed to escalate state contacts and asked staff to compile a prioritized implementation plan with cost estimates and vendor contacts.