June 24, 2026 Assembly of Delegates Standing Committee on Health and Human Services

The Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates Standing Committee on Health and Human Services held a virtual meeting on June 24, 2026, to discuss the proposal to reorganize emergency management functions by carving them out from the Department of Health and Environment into a new, independent Emergency Management Department. The reorganization aims to align county emergency management with state and federal standards, clarify the chain of command during emergencies, and enhance regional coordination for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. The committee was informed that the transition would be budget neutral, involving the transfer of approximately two and a half full-time equivalent positions without new resource allocations. The move is expected to improve grant competitiveness for emergency management funding and maintain existing relationships with towns for emergency response coordination. After discussion, the committee unanimously voted to endorse the ordinance and recommend it favorably to the full assembly for approval.