Elbert Country

Office of Emergency Management

Emergency management is the organized analysis, planning, decision making, and assignment of available resources to mitigate (lessen the effect of or prevent) prepare for, respond to, and recover from the effects of all hazards and homeland security. The goal of emergency management is to save lives, prevent injuries, and protect property and the environment if an emergency occurs.

Location:
Office of Emergency Management
Director, LaRiea Thompson
751 Ute Ave
P.O. Box 295
Kiowa, CO 80117
Phone: 303.805.6131
Fax: 303.805.6159
Email: OEM@elbertcounty-co.gov


Fireworks Guidance for July 4th Holiday

Current Burn Restriction: Stage I Effective Jun 24, 2009
Click here for Press Release

Restricting Open Fires and Open Burning in the Unincorporated areas of Elbert County Ordinance # 06-01
Click here to see the PDF file

Elbert County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan Draft
**OPEN TO PUBLIC COMMENT** July 1 thru July 15th
Click here to see the PDF file – Draft plan
Click here to see the PDF file – Appendices

Elbert County and the towns of Elizabeth, Kiowa, and Simla are seeking public comment on the Draft Elbert County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan. All comments will be considered for incorporation into the final plan and must be submitted in writing by July, 15, 2009, by mail, email, or fax to:

Elbert County Office of Emergency Management
PO Box 295
Kiowa, CO 80117
Fax: (303) 805-6161
Email: OEM@elbertcounty-co.gov

Elbert County; the incorporated towns of Elizabeth, Kiowa and Simla; the Elizabeth, Kiowa, and Rattlesnake Fire Protection Districts; and the Kiowa Conservation District prepared this plan to guide hazard mitigation activities to better protect the people and property of the County from the effects of disasters. Additionally, proactive mitigation planning will help reduce the costs of disaster response and recovery by protecting critical community facilities, reducing liability exposure, and minimizing overall community impacts and disruptions.

Each year in the United States, disasters take the lives of hundreds of people and injure thousands more. Nationwide, taxpayers pay billions of dollars annually to help communities, organizations, businesses, and individuals recover from disasters. Many natural disasters are predictable, and much of the damage caused by these events can be alleviated or even eliminated.

Hazard mitigation is defined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as “any sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to human life and property from a hazard event.” The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 requires that local governments have hazard mitigation plans approved by FEMA to be eligible for hazard mitigation funding programs. Upon approval of the final plan by FEMA, it will be formally adopted by the governing boards of the participating jurisdictions.

Hard copies of the plan are also available for review at
  • Elbert County Government Center in Kiowa
  • Fairgrounds / Extension Office
  • Public Health Office
  • Elizabeth Town Hall
  • Kiowa Town Hall
  • Simla Town Hall
  • Main offices of Elizabeth, Kiowa, and Rattlesnake Fire Protection Districts
  • All Elbert County Library District locations


Resources

The following resources provide more information about hazard mitigation and hazard mitigation planning.

FEMA: Hazard Mitigation Planning

Colorado Division of Emergency Management: Mitigation

Hazard Mitigation Saves: An Independent Study to Assess the Future Savings from Mitigation Activities


Remember, “Be Prepared, It’s the Code of the West!”


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