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Camp Verde and regional partners outline emergency-management steps, wildfire readiness

Town Council of the Town of Camp Verde ยท March 1, 2026

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Summary

Town officials and regional emergency responders briefed the Camp Verde Town Council on wildfire preparedness, grid-hardening and evacuation planning March 26; county and utility leaders previewed a shared evacuation tool and said staff will draft a local Emergency Operations Plan to align with the county Hazard Mitigation Plan.

Camp Verde Town Manager Miranda Fisher and representatives from regional agencies briefed the Town Council on local emergency management and wildfire preparedness at a special meeting on March 26, 2025.

The presentation, introduced by Town Manager Fisher, featured APS Northern Division Director Frank Sanderson, Yavapai County Emergency Manager Ashley Ahlquist, Copper Canyon/Verde Valley fire officials and multiple Town of Camp Verde staff. Sanderson summarized APS initiatives, saying the utility is pursuing "vegetation management practices, grid hardening investments, asset inspection and monitoring, operational awareness, fire mitigation strategies, and public safety power shutoffs," and described existing protocols and response windows for outages.

Ahlquist framed the county's role and legal requirements, noting that, "in accordance with Arizona Revised Statutes," counties, cities and towns must maintain emergency-management programs that align with state guidance. She also described the Genesis platform as a tool to manage evacuation zones and provide a common operating picture during incidents.

Fire Chief Danny Johnson reported that the region's high-risk fire areas have been identified and emphasized wildfire preparedness as a multi-jurisdictional effort. He added that firefighters receive "specialized training in tanker and tender operations" because many areas lack fire hydrants.

Council members asked questions of APS, county emergency management and town staff. Vice Mayor Marie Moore recommended that Town Manager Fisher share APS's materials on the Town's Facebook page. Town Manager Fisher said town staff will work with the county to draft an Emergency Operations Plan to accompany the county Hazard Mitigation Plan the Town previously adopted.

No formal actions or votes were taken on emergency-management policy during the session. The meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.