HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Hillsborough Commissioners took another step toward abolishing the County’s emergency policy group, Tuesday.
Board members voted to support an ordinance that would shift all responsibility for emergency responses back to the County Commission. That includes storms and hurricanes.
At their previous meeting, commissioners had voted to take back control from the Emergency Policy Group for all perils except storms and hurricanes.
But on Tuesday, the board voted unanimously to support an ordinance that would disband the EPG altogether, leaving the County Commission in charge of all emergency response.
Hillsborough is the only one of Florida’s 67 counties that has an Emergency Policy Group.
Fire Rescue Chief Dennis Jones told the board state and federal guidelines suggest counties take an all-hazards approach and not split the responsibilities.
“We need to return to this,” said Commissioner Pat Kemp, “It’s not working well for us at this time.”
Commissioner Mariella Smith agreed.
“I’m really happy that we’ve come to this point of just collecting everything back at the BOCC,” said Smith.
The concern from those who support the EPG is that it was created nearly 40 years ago to bring broader perspective to the table in the event of an emergency.
It includes the mayors of Hillsborough‘s three largest cities, Plant City, Temple Terrace and Tampa. It also includes the Hillsborough County Sheriff as well as the chair of the Hillsborough County School Board.
Commissioner Sandy Murman said Tampa Mayor Jane Castor had already expressed concerns to her.
“She has made comments that she wants a seat at the table. I understand that,” said Murman.
But proponents say the move would allow the county to move faster when it comes to issues like COVID-19.
If the ordinance passes, Hillsborough County Commissioners would become responsible not only for the pandemic response, but all emergencies - including hurricanes, floods, fires, even a terrorist attack.
“We have to act quickly, efficiently, and responsively to our citizens in order to be able to help them,” said Commissioner Kimberly Overman.
The ordinance has to be legally advertised, and the public must also be given a chance to have its say, which will occur at a meeting set for Aug. 5, at which time the board will likely decide whether to abolish the EPG permanently.
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