Regional Emergency Management Committee Statewide Implementation Guidance

Background

In July 2021, regional Local Emergency Planning Committees were replaced with one statewide Local Emergency Planning Committee. As noted in statute (Sec. 12. 20 V.S.A. § 6) the Emergency Management Division will establish Regional Emergency Management Committees which “shall coordinate emergency planning and preparedness activities to improve their regions’ ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from all disasters.”

The Division of Emergency Management is charged with establishing “geographic boundaries and guidance documents for regional emergency planning committees in coordination with regional planning commissions and mutual aid associations.”

Geographic Boundaries

Regional Emergency Management Committees will follow the existing Regional Planning Commission boundaries, except for Northeastern Vermont Development Association and Northwest Regional Planning Commission where 2 Regional Emergency Management Committees will exist within their boundaries.

Membership

Voting Members: The Local Emergency Management Director and one emergency services representative from each town in Lamoille County serve as the voting members of the committee.

Non-voting members: Nonvoting members may include representatives from the following organizations serving within the region: fire departments; emergency medical services; law enforcement; media; transportation; regional planning commissions; hospitals; the Department of Health’s district office; the Division of Emergency Management; organizations serving vulnerable populations; and any other interested public or private individual or organization.

Structure

Voting members shall annually elect a chair and vice chair of the committee from the voting membership. The Chair shall develop a meeting schedule, agenda, and facilitate each meeting. The Vice Chair shall fill in for the Chair during the Chair’s absence.

Administrative services will be performed by the Regional Planning Commission, paid for by Vermont Emergency Management.

As a public body, Regional Emergency Management Committees are subject to Open Meeting Law, per the Vermont Secretary of State’s Office.

Responsibilities of each Regional Emergency Management Committee

• Coordinate and support regional all-hazards emergency management activities, including planning,  training, & exercising.
• Regional Emergency Management Committees shall meet at least quarterly.
• Members shall develop and maintain a regional plan, following guidance and the template provided by Vermont Emergency Management, and submit it to their Vermont Emergency Management Regional Coordinator annually by June 1^st.
• 1 (one) individual, elected from membership, shall represent the Regional Emergency Management Committee on the statewide Local Emergency Planning Committee, 1 (one) shall represent the Regional Emergency Management Committee in the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment and Stakeholder Preparedness Review, and 1 (one) shall represent the Regional Emergency Management Committee in the Integrated Preparedness Planning Workshop.

Support

Administrative support will be provided to the Regional Emergency Management Committee by the Regional Planning Commissions, technical assistance by the Vermont Emergency Management Regional Coordinators, and Hazmat information (mapping, new facility identification) by the statewide Local Emergency Planning Committee and State Emergency Response Commission.

Regional Implementation

As the transition is made from Regional Local Emergency Planning Committees to Regional Emergency Management Committees, each Regional Emergency Management Committee will make and document regional implementation decisions. These activities will be coordinated by Regional Planning Commissions, with input from the members of the Regional Emergency Management Committee.

REMC Bylaws