ELIZABETHTOWN — During the Monday night meeting of the Bladen County Commissioners, Greg Elkins of the Bladen County Planning Department and Landon Holland of the Holland Group appeared before the commissioners to update them on the Hazard Mitigation Plan being revamped as required by law.  

Federal goverment requires all local governments to adopt and maintain a Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP). The Federal Emergency Management Association rules require each local, then state government bodies to have these HMP rules and guidelines in place so when a natural disaster strikes, our local agencies are up-to-date and prepared to go into action.

The first plan was approved in 2000, updated in 2005 and is now being prepared for approval in 2010.  

The advisory committee includes county EMS representatives plus a representative from each of the municipalities in the county. The plan must be approved by April 13, 2010.  

Holland told the board the state and federals officials will need 90 days to review and make recommendations, so time is of the essence on the approval of the local HMP rules. 

The Board advised them to move forward on submitting it to the proper state officials. Approval of the plan will follow the preliminary plan and changes proposed by the state and federal officials.  

Elizabethtown has asked to be included in the county proposal. In prior years, they had completed their own plan.