Council adopts updated hazard mitigation plan to keep Emigration Canyon eligible for federal aid

Emigration Canyon’s city council voted unanimously to adopt an updated multi‑jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan and a 50–60 page local annex intended to guide mitigation, response and grant eligibility.

Brian Buckhouse, who identified himself as an emergency management municipal planner contracted through UFA and MSD, told the council the plan functions as a “detailed road map” that identifies vulnerabilities and strategies to reduce long‑term risk to life and property. “This plan is a detailed road map that identifies vulnerabilities and generates strategies to reduce those risk,” Buckhouse said. He described the document as nearly 500 pages with an annex that focuses specifically on Emigration Canyon.

Buckhouse said 19 hazards are identified in the updated plan and that five weather‑related hazards were added since the 2019 version. He told the council that, per federal practice, maintaining an updated plan helps a jurisdiction qualify for FEMA cost‑sharing and grant programs after a declared disaster. “Did the locals have their hazard mitigation plan? Did they do their homework before they do the cost sharing?” he asked, summarizing FEMA’s approach.

The presentation emphasized improvements to communications and evacuation planning. Buckhouse described options for a countywide notification system (citing Titan and Everbridge as examples) and recommended a combined approach using both advanced notification tools and local duty‑officer messaging for life‑safety events. He also proposed scheduling a tabletop exercise and a community workshop before the fire season to test response profiles and clarify roles.

Council member Harris moved to adopt Resolution R2026‑02 approving the updated hazard mitigation plan; the motion passed by roll‑call vote 5–0 (Mayor Grama — yes; Council member Pena — yes; Council member Griffith — affirmative; Council member Ochs — yes; Council member Harris — aye). Buckhouse asked that the city schedule a tabletop exercise within weeks to test the evacuation annex and early response guidance.

The council’s action places the updated plan into the city record and signals the city’s intent to use the plan as the best‑available data for local planning while FEMA completes its review. Staff said they will return with tabletop dates and materials for community outreach, including printable evacuation zone maps.