The Courier | El Paso County Newsletter - April 2023

COURIER EDITORIAL BOARD

Our ability to collaborate is vital to ensuring El Paso County is prepared to respond to emergencies, especially as new threats emerge. This month’s theme is Emergency Management. As a former Emergency Manager, I understand the impact that severe weather and unpredictable risks can have on communities and the importance of being prepared. I have seen firsthand how quickly these situations can develop and become more complex. These risks demand a coordinated, multi-agency approach. Therefore, collaborating and remaining focused on preparedness for historical and evolving threats is more critical than ever.

In this issue, you will read about the many initiatives and resources in place to support activities relating to disaster prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery to protect the lives of the residents in our community Also, be mindful of individual measures residents, businesses, and visitors can take to prepare. Review the Pikes Peak Emergency Preparedness Guide and sign up for Peak Alerts. Most importantly, stay informed, review your readiness plan, and know where to find resources.

l a s h p o i n t

The Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management (PPROEM) was created in 2019 by merging the City of Colorado Springs and El Paso County Offices of Emergency Management. We have learned that disasters and emergencies don't respect jurisdictional and governmental boundaries. Whether it is a flood in one of our municipalities, a fire in unincorporated El Paso County, or a pandemic that impacts the community, we are all better served by working together. A regional approach to the Office of Emergency Management ensures a coordinated response during a crisis to serve our residents better. The establishment of the PPROEM allowed the county and the city to optimize staff resources, establish a single point of contact during major incidences, and enhance communication during and after an event.

The Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management works closely with local and state government agencies, public safety organizations, and other stakeholders to ensure an effective response to natural disasters or other large-scale emergencies. PPROEM serves as a focal point for coordinating all emergency management activities in the region and is responsible for creating emergency plans, conducting training and exercises, issuing warnings and alerts, coordinating resources during disasters, providing public information campaigns, and engaging with community partners.

FAt the heart of the agency is a highly dedicated team of professionals, led by Director Jim Reid, who work tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of the region.

Jim Reid's experience in emergency management was invaluable in merging the city and county emergency management offices in 2019.

JIM REID

Jim's leadership over the years in helping El Paso County, its residents, and the Pikes Peak Region persevere through several emergencies, including the Black Forest and Waldo Canyon fires, made him an obvious choice to lead this vital organization. He was the right person at the right time to meet this challenge. His expertise ensured a smooth transition and successful integration of the two offices

Jim Reid is retiring in April after 20 years of public service. The Courier's editorial board recently had the opportunity to interview Jim Reid to reflect on his career and share his retirement plans. You can listen to his interview on the podcast Beyond the Dais. Here are highlights from the conversation:

Is there a quote that has helped you get through the many difficult emergencies you have encountered? The will of God will not take us where the grace of God cannot sustain us ~ Billy Graham

What are you most proud of with your role in regionalizing the Office of Emergency Management? I am proud to have played a role in bringing two cultures together and helping to establish a strong foundation for the regionalization of PPROEM. The incoming director has a highway to take this organization in the direction they want and build on the progress that has already been made

To hear more, listen to Jim's episode on Beyond the Dais.

What are your plans for retirement? I am retiring in Florida and plan to trade my tractor for a boat. I grew up on the beach and have always loved being close to the water, so this seems like the perfect way to spend my retirement years.

HOW CAN I...

REPORT A POTHOLE

REPORT TRASH REMOVAL

REPORT ANIMAL/ WILDLIFE ISSUE

REPORT ROAD REPAIR NEED

CONTACT A COMMISSIONER

REPORT TUMBLEWEED IN THE RIGHT OF WAY

El Paso County has upgraded the Citizen Connect website and application. Connect with us now and report an issue or connect with your commissioner. Scan code below or visit: CITIZENCONNECT.ELPASOCO.COM

During the 2013 Black Forest Fire, over 13,000 families were forced to evacuate. At that time, the population of El Paso County was approximately 654,700; today, it’s somewhere around 762,800. This 16.5% increase means that, compared to 2013, there is a greater chance of the county experiencing an event where even more families will require evacuation.

Here at El Paso County, we are taking proactive steps to ensure we are ready for whatever comes next. As the adage goes, “hope for the best, but prepare for the worst."

This month’s Nine to Five highlights the ways El Paso County is accomplishing this. We invite you to read on and take notes to ensure you and your family are prepared for any contingency.

NINE NINE T T FIVE FIVE

Regional Office of Emergency Management

More than one hundred community members participate each year in an emergency preparedness course called Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) to learn basic knowledge and skills to prepare for helping the community during a disaster The overarching theme of the instruction is to “Do the Most Good for the Most People” when facing a crisis. The course is offered by the Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management (PPROEM) and highlights topics from many arenas, including neighborhood readiness, search and rescue, and counterterrorism, among other fields. To sign up for the next session happening in early May in the Ute Pass area, visit http://ppcert.eventzilla.net.

unity Development

’s Code Enforcement team has emicals, and other potential emergencies at properties across El Paso County.

In 2022, Code Enforcement, along with the Office of the County Attorney, prosecuted a high-profile case at a property which had received numerous complaints for code violations including people living in recreational vehicles and tents without proper sanitation, inoperable vehicles, and an excessive amount of trash and junk.

Because of challenges working with the property owner, Code Enforcement worked with agencies to obtain a court order to gain access to the site for cleanup. The cleanup began on December 27, 2022, with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office clearing out the occupants. This allowed for Code Enforcement and contractors to safely begin the cleanup. The cleanup lasted 14 days and consumed 87 man-hours and resulted in fiftytwo dump truck loads and 175,873 lbs. (87.9 tons) of trash and junk being removed from the property. Additionally, 13 vehicles and campers were towed from the property.

Items removed from the property include human waste, used needles, 213 tires, televisions, appliances, furniture, more than a dozen mattresses, various types of hazardous chemicals and waste, a burned vehicle and boat, and countless amounts of garbage. Removing so many hazardous and dangerous materials from the property not only aids public safety, but also helps mitigate the probability of a toxic chemical or fire emergency in the area.

Pikes Peak Prepared

The Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management (PPROEM) launched a new app to help the community prepare for disasters - Pikes Peak Prepared. The new app delivers vital information and tools, including digital guides, videos, news articles, checklists, and FAQs to help individuals prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies in the area. The app lets users stay informed about upcoming events and receive FEMA and National Weather Service alerts. In addition, the app features a space to build your emergency plan customized to your specific needs. Pikes Peak Prepared is available to download at Apple App Store or Google Play and currently features information on topics including wildfires, winter storms, psychological first aid, and overall preparedness.

Emergency Preparedness Guide

The Emergency Preparedness Guide for the Pikes Peak Region provides resources and information about preparing for local emergencies and disasters. In addition, the guide contains local contact information for emergency responders throughout the County and helpful checklists for taking your preparedness to the next level. The Emergency Preparedness Guide is available in English and Spanish, and hard copies can be obtained by contacting PPROEM at (719) 385-5957.

Peak Alerts

Peak Alerts are notifications sent through software called Everbridge by public safety agencies in El Paso and Teller Counties. Peak Alerts notify you of emergencies near your registered address(es) or current location that threaten life or property and are deemed dangerous by public safety officials. Peak Alerts can send notifications via text, phone call, email, mobile app, fax, etc. To learn more about Peak Alerts and sign up for notifications, visit www.peakalerts.org, download the Everbridge app from Google Play or Apple Store, or go to https://www.everbridge.com/app/. Of course, Peak Alerts do not replace the other helpful forms of communication (news broadcasts, radio stations, social media, websites, weather radios, etc.) you should use to stay informed during an emergency.

Emergency Management to ensure that critical information on emergencies, particularly wildfires, reaches the community when it matters most. The three main emergency terms that the Sheriff's Office uses are: Pre-Evacuation Warning, Evacuation Order, and Shelter-in-Place.

Pre-Evacuation Warnings are used to communicate to a community that there is a high probability that an evacuation will be ordered in that area. If you receive a PreEvacuation Warning, act immediately to prepare for evacuation, gather valuables, arrange transportation, and leave. You do NOT have to wait for an evacuation order to leave.

Evacuation Orders inform a community that all residents must leave IMMEDIATELY because of the present dangers. Therefore, if you are away from home when an Evacuation Order is given, DO NOT try to go home. Instead, go to safety IMMEDIATELY and continue to listen to local radio, television, or the official agency's social media outlets for further instruction.

Shelter-in-Place orders inform the community that the best way to stay safe is to get inside a building or vehicle because of the present dangers or emergencies. Therefore, when you receive word of a Shelter-in-Place order, get inside, take cover immediately, and monitor El Paso County Sheriff's Office media for updates on when it is ok to go back outside.

El Paso County Public Health

El Paso County Public Health (EPCPH) is no stranger to responding to emergencies and disasters. EPCPH has again been recognized by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) for its ability to plan for, respond to, and recover from public health emergencies. EPCPH demonstrated these capabilities by meeting the comprehensive preparedness benchmarks required by Project Public Health Ready (PPHR), a unique partnership between NACCHO and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). To earn this recognition, EPCPH demonstrated that all staff are trained, involved, and can clearly show that they meet the requirements set for the agency.

EPCPH is among a group of more than 520 local health departments (LHD) across the country of the nation’s approximately 3,000 total LHDs that have been distinguished for excellence in preparedness through PPHR, either individually or as part of a region.

Initially receiving PPHR designation in 2008 with successful re-recognitions in 2013, 2018, and most recently, 2023 EPCPH has earned this prestigious recognition for over 15 years

Janel McNair, El Paso County Public Health’s (EPCPH) Emergency Preparedness and Response program manager, has been selected to present at the 2023 National Preparedness Summit in Atlanta, Georgia. At the annual Summit, McNair will be presenting a “quick-hit session,” a comprehensive guide her team developed for onboarding new employees into a public health emergency preparedness and response program.

The innovative guide helps to prepare new emergency preparedness staff for navigating the complexities of their new roles. Attendees of the session will receive a template for an onboarding guide that can be tailored to their own program and serve as a resource for new employees. EPCPH is leading the way with innovative solutions and looks forward to the opportunity to share best practices at the upcoming national forum, which gathers more than 2,000 attendees from across the nation.

Public Works

Back in February, we wrote about how El Paso County is updating its Major Transportation Corridor Plan (MTCP). Public input from a ranking survey conducted in January and February 2023 identified the top three goals for the plan:

Maintain existing infrastructure

Provide efficient and reliable transportation network

Improve safety for all modes of transportation

The second phase of public engagement began on March 28, 2023, and runs through April. Phase 2 provides two interactive activities:

Project Commenting Map: Explore a map featuring 200+ planned/recommended transportation projects from current and past plans and studies

Budget Prioritization Activity: Tell us how you would spend a transportation budget of $100

To learn more and access the Phase 2 activities, visit 2045MTCP.com/get-involved.

For 29 years, the El Paso County Wildland Fire Management Crew has assisted the local, state, and national wildland fire suppression efforts. The fires range from small campfires to large incidents, such as the Black Forest Fire in 2013. The crew also provides hazardous fuel reduction on county land and participates in public education and fire prevention programs.

So who is a part of the crew dedicated to suppressing wildland fires in the county?

The potential for wildland fires is yearround in Colorado, and Wildland Fire Management members are available 247 to provide suppression efforts. These members are a combination of career and volunteer members comprised of citizens from El Paso County and the surrounding areas. These members are highly trained individuals, including Wildland Fire Management Supervisor Robert Ayotte. Supervisor Ayotte ensures that his crew is always prepared to provide professional wildland fire suppression for the county.

In the Region

Committed to serving our community

As summer approaches, we must do our part to prevent the spread of wildfires and create a plan.

Here are some practices to help prepare for and prevent wildfires:

Have a go-bag ready in the car

Remember to pack any necessary documents and photos

Sign up at pikespeakalerts.org to receive public alerts for evacuations and active local threats

Clear brush, mow lawns, and remove any debris on your property

We spend our time honing our skills by conducting fire mitigation, cutting trees, and training so our wildland fire response meets the needs of the county.

Viewpoint

A collection of photos from the region SCANCODETO

A p r i l

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 04

9 AM | 200 South Cascade Avenue 80903

The Board of County Commissioners meet every Tuesday at 9 AM at Centennial Hall Auditorium. The first On-the-Road Meeting will be at Manitou Springs City Hall on April 25.

RABBITS DON'T LAY EGGS 06

10 - 11:30 AM | Fountain Creek Nature Center

Children ages 3-6, with an adult, will enjoy a puppet show or story, a craft, hands-on activities, and discovery time on the trail.

CHOCOLATE BUNNY EGG HUNT

Various Times | Fountain Creek Nature Center

Join the Bunny Guide to search for eggs along the trail and exchange your finds for a chocolate bunny! Ages 2+

WHOSE EGG IS IT ANYWAY?

10 - 11:15 AM | Fountain Creek Nature Center

Explore nature with your 2- or 3-year-old through interactive activities, a story, and a short hike

GREAT AMERICAN CLEANUP

9 AM | Various Locations

Join the community in this effort to complete cleanup projects at parks, trails, creeks, and roadways. Sign-up online.

KIDS MORNING OUT

9 AM - 1 PM | Bear Creek Nature Center

Caregivers, drop off your child (ages 7-12) for a morning exploring the world of Minecraft! Lunch included