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Evacuation planning and animal shelters discussed as Elbert County readies for summer fire risks
Summary
Officials discussed pre-drawn evacuation polygons, coordination with neighboring Douglas County, limits to livestock evacuation, and contingency plans for large target sites such as the Boy Scout ranch and JCC during a May 18 work session.
Elbert County OEM and the sheriff’s office discussed evacuation planning and limits on county responsibilities during a May 18 work session focused on wildfire readiness.
Jacob Love, the county emergency-management director, recommended pre-drawing evacuation polygons and coordinating evacuation plans with the sheriff’s office and neighboring Douglas County to speed mandatory-notice decisions. Love said preplanned polygons and clear messaging allow residents to self-evacuate more quickly than waiting for on-scene direction.
Sheriff Tim Norton said life safety is the sheriff’s top priority but stressed manpower limits. "We don't have how many deputies we have on today? 2," Norton said, noting the sheriff’s office was short-staffed and that livestock evacuation is primarily the animal owners’ responsibility. He said in practice deputies may cut fences or advise owners to self-evacuate large animals because resources to move livestock are limited.
Speakers raised target-hazard concerns: an attendee noted the Boy Scout ranch can host up to 1,000 children, and the Jewish Community Center (JCC) can also host large groups. Jacob Love said both sites have evacuation relationships (transportation and fairgrounds as a fallback) and OEM will continue direct coordination with site managers to ensure contact information and plans are current.
Officials also discussed managing unaffiliated citizen volunteers who converge on incidents to help move animals. Some groups can be helpful if trained and integrated; Love cited the Douglas-Elbert Horse Council as an organized partner that can coordinate animal sheltering at planned locations.
The facilitator recommended documenting evacuation roles and working with OEM to make the process a standing deliverable; commissioners asked OEM and the sheriff to translate discussions into a documented evacuation plan and a roster for notifications.
