Emergency Management Director Reveals Bold New Initiatives

Cora Phillips, the Emergency Management Director for Grand County, provided an extensive update on her department's activities during a recent government meeting. Since taking on the role in November 2022, Phillips has focused on enhancing emergency management protocols, particularly in the wake of significant flooding events.

Phillips outlined her responsibilities, which include training, public outreach, disaster response coordination, and grant writing. She emphasized the importance of improving alert dissemination, collaborating with the National Weather Service, and encouraging the public to utilize the My Alerts app for timely weather notifications. Her efforts have led to the establishment of a flood leadership chat among public safety officials and a significant increase in the Grand County Emergency Management Facebook page followers.

A key highlight of her report was the successful acquisition of various grants aimed at bolstering emergency preparedness. Notably, Phillips secured $48,380 for multi-gas meters and training following a natural gas release incident. Additionally, she reported receiving over $82,000 from state funding to address issues stemming from the spring runoff in 2023.

Phillips also discussed ongoing training initiatives, including her participation in the National Emergency Management Basic Academy and upcoming advanced training courses. She underscored the collaborative approach taken with local agencies and stakeholders to enhance community resilience against disasters.

The meeting also introduced Shavar, a FEMA representative with over 30 years of experience, who will assist Phillips in her role for the next six months. Shavar expressed his commitment to supporting the county's emergency management efforts and emphasized the importance of actionable projects to mitigate future risks.

The meeting concluded with a call for continued collaboration and support for emergency management initiatives, highlighting the critical need for preparedness in the face of increasing natural disasters.