Emergency management director outlines World Cup planning, plan renewals and new mass-notification system

Michelle Wise, director of emergency management, presented the county’s quarterly update to commissioners on April 21.

Wise said the county received 2025 homeland security funds but 2026 allocations were not yet guaranteed. Staff are preparing for potential World Cup impacts — including increased traffic, tourist influx and strain on local services — and have run tabletop and regional exercises. The local emergency operations plan has been submitted for state review and is scheduled for renewal in August; Wise said the county will present subordinate plans (reunification, mass casualty, recovery) for adoption in the fall.

Wise said the county’s disaster threshold for eligibility for public assistance is now just under $264,000. She also announced a new mass-notification system that will replace CodeRed and invited residents to register through county channels. Commissioners asked clarifying questions and thanked Wise for the update.