SAGUACHE — On June 21 the Saguache County Office of Emergency Management hosted a Multi-Agency Coordination Meeting. This meeting consisted of emergency management practitioners, organizational and community leaders, government officials, and first responders.

The purpose of this meeting was to review emergency plans, identify potential hazards and shortcomings, and to identify ways to strengthen collaboration.  Over 40 participants represented agencies including Saguache County Commissioners, Town of Moffat Mayor, county and regional public health representatives, school district personnel, law enforcement, fire, EMS, search and rescue, SLV HazMat, Saguache County Road and Bridge, Colorado Department of Transportation, Colorado State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and US Forest Service representatives from both the Rio Grande and Gunnison National Forests.  Participants also included emergency managers from Saguache, Chaffee, Custer, Mineral, Alamosa, Conejos and Costilla Counties.

Taking a “whole-community” approach to emergency management these agencies collectively assessed the needs of the community and identified the best ways to organize and strengthen their capabilities.  By doing so, a more effective path to societal security and resilience was built.

This is what Bobby Woelz, director of the Saguache County Office of Emergency Management, said after the event: “What we saw here today displayed the commitment we all have to emergency preparedness here in Saguache County. Today was truly about neighbor helping neighbor. This was the largest coordination meeting of its kind here in Saguache. Perhaps this is because we are all watching the smoke come over the horizon from the 416 Fire that is affecting our neighbors; however, I believe it is because we are witnessing a new era in emergency management.  Communities and agencies have realized that it is not a question of IF a disaster will affect our community, it is a question of WHEN.  The more we can work together now, before disaster strikes, the better. We made great progress today yet there is still a lot of work yet to be done.”

For inquiries please contact the Saguache County Office of Emergency Management at:

[email protected]