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Emergency management director reports no county response needed after storm; readiness steps outlined

Ottawa County, Kansas Board of County Commissioners · January 26, 2026

Summary

Jason Gipson told commissioners he monitored weather briefings before the snow event and that conditions did not require a county response. He described preparation steps including staging an emergency-management trailer and vehicle; commissioners discussed vehicle requirements for towing.

Emergency Management Director Jason Gipson briefed commissioners on the county's posture for a recent snow event, saying Ottawa County did not activate a formal response.

Gipson said he had "been watching and attending meetings with the national weather service" in advance of the storm and that "nothing in the event triggered any needed response." He described preparation steps such as readying the emergency-management trailer and getting a vehicle prepared to pull the trailer. Commissioners discussed whether the county should obtain a vehicle with better towing capability to support multi-agency responses.

Gipson also said decisions to respond to fires and other incidents depend on severity and resource needs, and that he seeks to align emergency-management actions with the commission's vision and intent.

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