The Monroe County Office of Emergency Management and the Monroe County Planning Commission held a public meeting last week to discuss and update the county’s Hazard Mitigation Plan.

The plan is required to qualify for federal funding following a disaster declaration.

A key focus of the update is identifying Monroe County’s vulnerable communities, including those at greater risk due to age, disability, socioeconomic status or geographic location.

Mike Rearick of MCM Consulting Group Inc. in State College led the meeting.

“The plan must be updated every five years,” he said. “We assess new risks and hazards, then look at actions and progress. Monroe County has the most aggressive and best planning effort.”

The planning process begins with a risk assessment, which examines the extent and locations of potential disasters and hazards, such as drought, flooding, invasive species, infectious diseases, and winter storms.

The top five hazards identified in Monroe County are:

• The opioid epidemic

• Cyberterrorism

• Endemic hazards

• Invasive species

• Pandemics, epidemics and infectious diseases

James Woodard, emergency management director for Tunkhannock Township, emphasized the importance of community involvement.

“I attend town meetings for the benefit of the community and want to work to see what’s going on and make suggestions to improve things,” he said.

A total of 62 actions were updated or developed for the 2025 plan, outlining mitigation strategies for future emergencies.

County Commissioner David Parker stressed the importance of preparedness.

“If there is a disaster, we need to be able to apply for funding and ensure both preventive measures and follow-up responses to emergencies,” he said.

The public has 30 days to submit comments on the plan.

Comments can be submitted online at monroecountypa.gov/department/office-of-Emergency-Management/Resources/hazard-mitigation or in writing to the Monroe County Office of Emergency Management.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has 45 days to review the plan before it is adopted by the county and its municipalities.