FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 15, 2023
Media Contact: Logan Bailey, (517) 331-8922
Proficient Emergency Response Thanks to Dedicated Team at Eaton County
(EATON COUNTY, MI) - On August 24, 2023, Eaton County was hit with a severe weather event. At its peak, over 67% of residents were without power, with widespread damage stretching across the county. This resulted in the activation of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), and a declaration for a local “State of Emergency” as authorized by the Board of Commissioners, and a request for Emergency Declaration was approved by the Governor’s Office soon thereafter.
Coordination of debris cleanup, local jurisdiction assessments, and communication with the state government was handled adeptly from the Emergency Operations Center. The Eaton County team includes the Emergency Management Department, 911 Central Dispatch, Technology Services (GIS), Physical Plant (County Facilities), Barry-Eaton District Health Department, MDHHS – Eaton County, Road Commission, Eaton County Transportation Authority, County Sheriff’s Office, Controller’s Office, and the Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division of the Michigan State Police. The team worked tirelessly through the night of the 24th and are still doing so today.
On behalf of the Board of Commissioners and all county staff across all departments, I want to formally recognize Emergency Manager Ryan Wilkinson for his leadership through this crisis, and the incredible team that expertly assembled to deliver an immediate response. We are much closer to getting past this event thanks to the team’s diligence through the last few weeks.
We as a county can rest easier knowing Eaton County Emergency Management, its activated Emergency Operations Center, first responders, and 911 Central Dispatch will be with us through the next crisis.
Sincerely,
Jim Mott
Chairman
Eaton County Board of Commissioners