South Carolina H 4157: Anderson Co. EMD 2024 EMA of the Year

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 4157 Text of Previous Version (Mar. 06, 2025) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 4157

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A concurrent RESOLUTION

to recognize and honor the Anderson 
County Emergency Management Division for its exceptional service and to congratulate 
the division for being named the South Carolina Emergency Management Agency of 
the Year for 2024.

Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly is pleased to learn that 
the Anderson County Emergency Management Division (EMD) has been recognized as 
the 2024 South Carolina Emergency Management Agency of the Year, a prestigious 
award that highlights exceptional commitment to safeguarding the community 
through emergency planning, response, and recovery awarded by the South 
Carolina Emergency Management Association; and

Whereas, while South Carolina endured Hurricane Helene in September 
2024, Anderson County EMD remained the calm, consistent, and instructive voice 
providing up-to-the-minute information and prioritizing the safety and 
well-being of the county; and

Whereas, the agency successfully coordinated a monumental 
mobilization effort of resources between local, state, and federal agencies. 
Under the agency's watch, the members efficiently coordinated with the National 
Guard and set up sites that were easy to access for water, meals, and donations. 
The crisis forced the team to reach a new caliber of proficiency, while 
learning where to close any gaps in their emergency-response plan; and

Whereas, the director of the Anderson County EMD, Josh Hawkins, realizes 
that it is an honor to receive the award for any calendar year, but it is especially 
gratifying for the year when the largest hurricane on record pummeled the State; 
and

Whereas, ahead of the storm, the Anderson County EMD built 
relationships with the community that helped citizens to respond with resilience. 
Knowing the severity of the hurricane's aftermath, the EMD team work countless 
hours with an extraordinary work ethic and a determined commitment; and

Whereas, the hurricane response came shortly after the largest 
concert event ever to take place within county limits, "Rock the Country," to 
which some forty thousand concert goers a day attended and which required major 
efforts to plan in advance of the headliners. For an entire calendar year 
before any melodies sounded from the stage, EMD organized a comprehensive plan 
with law enforcement, fire, EMS, Highway Patrol, DOT, SLED, Hazmat, AnMed 
Health, Medshore, county and city officials, and concert staff; and

Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly deeply appreciates the 
pride that the members of the Anderson County Emergency Management Division 
have brought to Anderson County and to the Palmetto State and their expeditious 
response, extraordinary proficiency, and determined commitment to protect lives. 
Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of 
Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the South 
Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, recognize and honor the Anderson 
County Emergency Management Division for its exceptional service and 
congratulate the division for being named the South Carolina Emergency 
Management Agency of the Year for 2024.

Be it further resolved that a copy 
of this resolution be presented to Director Josh Hawkins.

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This web page was last updated on March 06, 2025 at 10:49 AM