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.

2024 Meeting Dates

All meetings are held at the Big Rapids Department of Public Safety:
435 N Michigan Ave, Big Rapids, MI 49307
​*February Meetings will be held at the Mecosta County Services Building:
14485 Northland Drive, Big Rapids, MI 49307

Planning Board Meetings
Held at 9:30am

January 22
February 26*
March 25
April 22
May 20
June 24
NO July 22 Meeting - Canceled
August 26
September 23
October 21
November 25
December 16

Executive Committee Meetings
Held at 10am

January 2*
February 12*
March 11
April 15*
May 13
June 10*
July 8*
August 12
September 9
October 7
November 12
December 9

*January 2 Executive Committee Meeting will be held at the GRFD LaGrave Station, 38 LaGrave Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
*April 15 Executive Committee Meeting will be held at the Newaygo Co EOC, 306 S. North St, White Cloud, MI 49349
*June 10 Executive Committee Meeting will be held at the Ottawa Co Sheriff, 12220 Fillmore St, West Olive MI 49460
*July 8 Executive Committee Meeting will be held at the Muskegon Co Admin Building, 1903 Marquette Ave, Muskegon MI 49442

Region 6 Planning / THIRA Committee Meetings 2024
January 19 at 1pm, Muskegon Co Administration Building
February 22 at 1pm, Mecosta Co Services Building
March 13 & 14 - THIRA Training in Mt. Pleasant
​April 22 at 1pm, Big Rapids Department of Public Safety Building
​May 23 at 1pm, Virtual via Microsoft Teams
June 24 at 1pm, Big Rapids Department of Public Safety Building
​August 8 at 1pm, Virtual via Microsoft Teams 

Region 6 SubCommittee (NPAs, LETPA, HazMat) Meetings 2024
March 25 at 11:30am, Big Rapids Department of Public Safety
September 23 at 11:30am, Big Rapids Department of Public Safety

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

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