Board ratifies retroactive local emergency declaration after snowstorm

Page County supervisors unanimously approved a resolution ratifying a local emergency declaration the county made during a recent snowstorm to secure potential reimbursement for emergency response costs.

A county emergency staff member told the board the declaration was made when officials faced the prospect of widespread power outages and increased emergency medical needs; the declaration allowed the county to expand ambulance staffing and prepare for patient transfers. "We didn't think we were going to ever get anywhere near the dollar amount to declare or that we would get reimbursed... however, at the time when they discussed the probability of cutting off power, and we were scrambling to up staff our ambulance crews... we did go ahead and declare," the staff member said.

The declaration was presented to the board for approval after the fact because, staff said, "time was of the essence." The board moved, seconded and recorded a unanimous vote in favor of the resolution.

The ratification is an administrative action that preserves the county's ability to seek reimbursements for eligible costs related to emergency response. Staff did not present a specific dollar figure for potential claims; follow-up reporting will identify any reimbursement requests submitted to state or federal programs.