Routt County commissioners and emergency management staff honored volunteer Paula Gregory with a certificate of appreciation for establishing and leading the county’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).

County emergency management staff recounted that Gregory initiated the CERT program in early 2019 and led training for a core group of volunteers. Officials said the team runs monthly trainings, conducts scenario exercises and was activated to support an evacuation center during the Muddy Slide fire in 2021.

Gregory, a retired Air Force colonel, told the commissioners that her favorite part of the work was scenario training and exercises where volunteers practice field skills and coordination. She said she is moving to Carson City, Nevada, and described her departure as “bittersweet.” Emergency management staff and commissioners praised her leadership and noted the program’s core volunteers and partnerships will continue.

The board presented a written certificate of appreciation and will host a farewell event for Gregory; no formal board action was required for the recognition.