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Geary County continues emergency proclamation, details storm response and local public-safety updates
Summary
County emergency management and public works described ongoing snow response, the decision to continue an emergency proclamation, changes to the FEMA CRS participation, and fire department staffing and grant activity following the recent storm.
Geary County officials on Monday extended a local emergency proclamation tied to the recent heavy snowfall and detailed ongoing response and recovery measures for county residents and operations.
Emergency declaration and operational continuity
Gary Burgess, Geary County emergency management and rural fire chief, told commissioners the chair issued a verbal emergency declaration during the storm; Burgess asked the commission to continue that proclamation for an additional seven days to support snow removal, overtime and equipment use. Commissioners agreed to continue the declaration to maintain operational flexibility while after-storm cleanup continues.
Public works response and communications
Public Works Administrator Jeremy Myers reported staff coordination with law enforcement and other county departments during the event, including 24/7 conference calls with state offices and daily operational coordination with public works and the sheriff’s office. Myers described tactics to protect mailboxes and to clear priority routes first. He said the county is implementing vehicle dash cameras and GPS tracking and will offer a public “coverage map” with a short (about 10-minute) delay so residents can see where county plows operated without exposing exact employee locations in real time.
FEMA/CRS participation
Officials discussed the county’s long-running Community Rating System (CRS) participation with FEMA. Staff reported that Geary County’s rating has dropped in recent cycles and that the percentage savings available to flood-insurance policyholders has declined; given the administrative burden and reduced benefit, staff recommended withdrawing from CRS. The commission directed staff to send a letter to FEMA indicating intent to discontinue CRS participation; staff emphasized the county will remain compliant with FEMA’s floodplain mapping and residents will continue to qualify for flood insurance but likely without CRS premium discounts.
Fire department, training and grants
Gary Burgess described fire department activity during the winter event and other recent work:
- The volunteer firefighter annual stipends were paid via direct deposit; roughly $14,000 was spent on volunteer stipends (as budgeted). - The commission approved the Firefighter Relief Association annuity for volunteer Wayne Adams, who retired after more than 45 years of service and met the association’s service requirements. - The department submitted an SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) grant application on schedule and is preparing a Department of Interior grant application for a wildland slip-in unit; Burgess said the county also submitted paperwork to USDA for a fire station loan application and is awaiting follow-up from the agency.
Other operational items and community notes
- Recycling and landfill operations: Because of schedule disruptions tied to the storm and contracted service availability, county staff asked the commission to keep the second-Saturday recycling drop-off closed for January; the commission approved posting a public notice and updating the county website. - Road equipment and insurance: Public works reported receiving insurance proceeds for a total loss trailer and requested the commission tag the funds toward replacement of a lost 2018 pickup; commissioners approved tagging the funds for vehicle replacement.
What officials said and next steps
Burgess and Myers emphasized continued recordkeeping for potential state or federal reimbursement tied to the storm (e.g., overtime and equipment costs) and asked departments to retain receipts. Myers said implementation of the Samsara dash-camera and mapping system has already helped crew guidance and will aid public communication during future events. Staff will submit the FEMA/CRS withdrawal letter, pursue grant follow-ups, and return with implementation updates on equipment purchases and remediation work.
Ending: Commissioners completed the operational approvals and directed staff to continue documenting costs and to proceed with the remedial and procurement steps already approved during the meeting.
