About Us

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has identified a number of national priorities to strengthen the preparedness of the United States for the prevention of and response to a threatened or actual domestic terrorist attack, major disaster, or other emergency. These types of major events have a regional impact; therefore, the benefit of regionalism is most evident at the community level when a community, as a whole, can prepare for and provide an integrated response to an incident. 

The State of Michigan is divided into seven Homeland Security Regions. The Region 6 Homeland Security Planning Board consists of voting representation from the thirteen counties of Clare, Ionia, Isabella, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, Ottawa as well as voting representation from the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe and the City of Grand Rapids. Non-Voting representation includes members of the Public Health sector, the State of Michigan, West Michigan Regional Medical Consortium, and other invaluable community partners such as the American Red Cross and the National Weather Service.
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The Region 6 Planning Board works to achieve the following goals through the completion of projects funded by the Department of Homeland Security through the State Homeland Security Program and the Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program:

• Maximize effectiveness and achieve collaboration in planning, training, equipment purchase, and exercises.
• Effectively manage and administer State and Federal funds, guidelines, and resources.
• Promote communications and information sharing in the Region.
• Achieve collaboration in professional and volunteer response and recovery.

​The Region 6 Homeland Security Planning Board provides the leadership for jurisdictions to support each other by planning for, responding to, and recovering from events impacting our communities and state.

2025 Meeting Dates

All meetings are held at the Big Rapids Department of Public Safety:
435 N. Michigan Ave, Big Rapids, MI 49307
​*October Executive Committee Meeting location is TBD 

Planning Board Meetings
Held at 9:30am

January 27
February 24
March 24
April 28
May 19
June 23
July 28
August 25
September 22
October 27
November 24
December 15

Executive Committee Meetings
Held at 10am

January 13
February 10
March 10
April 14
May 12
June 9
July 14
August 11
September 8
October 14*
November 10
December 8

Executive Committee

Executive Committee officers are nominated to serve a one year term and are elected by the Region 6 HSGP Planning Board through the voting process.

Board Chair

Abby Watkins
Director of Emergency Services
​Newaygo County

Board Vice Chair

Lou Hunt
​Emergency Management Director
Ottawa County

Board Secretary

Allison Farole
Emergency Management Administrator
City of Grand Rapids

Region 6 Citizen Corps

Citizen Corps is a nation-wide, grass roots movement to actively involve all Americans in making our communities and our nation safer, stronger, and better prepared for emergencies of all kinds. We all have a role in hometown security and Citizen Corps provides local opportunities for everyone to prepare, train, and volunteer!
The mission of Citizen Corps is to harness the power of every individual through education, training, and volunteer service to make communities safer, stronger, and better prepared to respond to the threats of terrorism, crime, public health issues, and disasters of all kinds.
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Click the button below for access to our Region 6 Citizen Corps Volunteer Hub:

volunteer portal

Our Region 

West Michigan is known for our beautiful beaches, prosperous farmland, captivating natural forests, precious waterways, welcoming small towns, bustling big cities, and our generous citizens. We are proud to call this special place home!   

find out more

Number of Region 6 Counties & Jurisdictions

Number of Region 6 Residents

​Number of Region 6   Post-Secondary Educational Institutions

Number of Miles of Lakeshore in Region 6 (Inland Lakes & Great Lakes)

Number of Michigan State Parks in Region 6

Number of Commercial Cargo Ports in Region 6