By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA–The Emergency Management Grant Performance program requires the updating and re-adoption of the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) every two years.

On Monday, March 23, the Shelby County Commission passed the resolution to accept the updated version of the EOP.

There were no significant changes other than the shortening of the document and some name changes.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requires grantees to maintain a jurisdiction wide all hazard plan consistent with the Comprehensive Preparedness Guide and update the plan every two years according to the resolution.

“Every two years we have to update this and at least every year we get together with the entities within the county, especially through our local ordinancy planning committee and go over special aspects of the Emergency Operations Plan,” said Shelby County Emergency Management Supervisor Hub Harvey. “Within the last two years, anytime when we had an event like Snowmageddon of January a year ago, we sit down and review our operational plans that are contained within this document.”

The EOP plan will be sent to FEMA for final review and approval.