This post continues the information from my recent meetings with the various elected officials and county department heads.
Director Jeanine West heads Laramie County Emergency Management (EMA). Within this department is the Fire Warden Office, headed by Fire Warden Matt Buttler, the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), led by CERT Program Manager Beth Harris, and Laramie County Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES), led by Robert Bragg.
Jeanine and her team are responsible for all emergency preparedness in Laramie County, from coordinating resources during Cheyenne Frontier Days, helping to make it a safe and successful event, to preparing for and responding to natural and manmade disasters. Working closely with the Wyoming Department of Homeland Security, her department ensures the community is prepared and well taken care of when the unthinkable happens.
EMA's commitment to preparedness is evident in the comprehensive training they provide for area first responders. While visiting with Jeanine, I was given a tour of their facility in the Archer complex.
Beyond the main EMA building, which is also a designated backup location for dispatch services and an emergency command post, they have a large building on the property that houses various vehicles and equipment, including a mobile command post, a snowcat purchased with ARPA funds, emergency generators, lighting, spare emergency radios, all-terrain vehicles, and other pieces of emergency equipment.
Having worked closely with EMA over the years, I can confidently say that the citizens of Laramie County are in good hands.