The El Paso County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a one-year memorandum of understanding enabling the Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management (PPR OEM) to deliver emergency management services to the City of Fountain and Town of Monument.

Andrew Notchbaum, director of PPR OEM, told commissioners the agreement would support smaller municipalities with training, exercises, policy-group briefings, development of an emergency operations plan and access to the region’s emergency coordination center during disasters. Notchbaum said the arrangement would be fully funded by Fountain and Monument and would not require county funding in the first year.

Commissioners asked for clarification on public alert systems and stakeholder engagement. Notchbaum confirmed the region uses PeakAlerts (peakalerts.org) for emergency notifications and said municipalities must participate in stakeholder activities and exercises to achieve the MOU outcomes. Commissioners praised the regional approach and said the MOU helps smaller jurisdictions that may lack internal capacity.

A motion to approve the memorandums of understanding between PPR OEM and the two municipalities passed 5–0. The director said the agreement is for one year with an option to return to the board if the parties want to continue the relationship in subsequent years.