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Region 51 emergency manager reports on Cottonwood fire, hazard-mitigation grants and readiness work
Summary
Region 51 Emergency Management detailed county and regional response and planning: Cottonwood fire burned roughly 129,253 acres and triggered multi-agency incident management; Brandon reported outstanding grant award notices, submitted hazard-mitigation reimbursements and LEOP/hazmat plan updates across Lincoln, Dundy and Hitchcock counties.
Brandon, who presented the quarterly Region 51 Emergency Management report to the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners, told the board the office has submitted four 2024 hazard mitigation quarterly invoices totaling $4,592.72 and is waiting on 2025 EMPG and SHSP grant award notices before quarterly reimbursement work can proceed.
‘‘We still have not received information on the 2025 EMPG or SHSP grant awards yet,’’ Brandon said, noting backlog at FEMA had delayed funding. He briefed commissioners on updates to hazard mitigation plans (Lincoln, Dundy and Hitchcock counties), completion of a new hazmat plan section in the Lincoln County LEOP and ongoing credentialing of county emergency personnel.
Brandon recounted mutual aid responses and regional exercises, including active-shooter drill planning, Red Cross shelter exercises and storm spotter classes. He said his office supported response and coordination during the Cottonwood fire, which he reported burned 129,253 acres and was assigned to Rocky Mountain Complex incident teams. Brandon described sending an IMAT team to North Platte to assist with paperwork and said some DR projects have federal and state shares in process.
Commissioners asked whether investigators had traced the bomb threat at North Platte High School; Brandon said he had no information about that criminal follow-up and would continue asking. He also said the region is coordinating with West Central District Health on reconstituting the Medical Reserve Corps and helping local jurisdictions with FEMA and state processes for disaster recovery.
No formal board action was required on the report. Commissioners thanked Brandon and directed follow-ups related to plan signings and any outstanding grant paperwork.
