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Board approves Red Cross MOU to use Pine Bluffs Elementary gym as secondary emergency shelter
Summary
Trustees approved a memorandum of understanding allowing Laramie County Emergency Management and the Red Cross to use Pine Bluffs Elementary gym as a secondary shelter during an emergency; the MOU includes provisions for stocking, cleaning and an addendum addressing pets.
The Laramie County School District #2 board approved a memorandum of understanding on July 13 that would designate Pine Bluffs Elementary gym as a secondary emergency shelter under a plan developed with Laramie County Emergency Management and the American Red Cross.
Staff described the MOU as an agreement that transfers facility control to emergency management during an incident; emergency partners would be responsible for stocking the shelter and cleaning the facility after use. Staff also said the district and partners added an addendum to address pet sheltering needs — the town has designated spaces at the state park for animals, which staff said makes pet sheltering feasible.
The MOU was reviewed by the district’s attorney and preliminary language was accepted by the Red Cross; staff left redlined areas for final review and the board approved the agreement by voice vote.
Why it matters: the agreement formalizes a local emergency plan that leverages school facilities as community shelters, clarifies responsibilities for operations and cleanup, and sets expectations for the district’s role during a declared emergency. The board emphasized that while the MOU provides a resource, the likelihood of immediate use is low but worth having in place.
The motion to approve the Red Cross MOU passed by voice vote; the district’s attorney and emergency management will finalize any outstanding redlines with the Red Cross before execution.
