By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
During the June 24 meeting of the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors, Conservation Director Brad Halterman told of the county’s plan for making storm shelters available for use in times of threatening weather.
“It’s not in anybody’s best interest to have those things unlocked 24-7, so they’re not going to be. Both at Lenon Mill and at Nations Bridge Park, the storm shelters will be locked up. They will be unlocked at both parks when a severe thunderstorm warning is issued for Guthrie County and/or a tornado watch is issued for Guthrie County,” Halterman said. “When those warnings are done, both of the shelters will be locked back up.”
Halterman said he and three other staff will have the keys to unlock and lock the storm shelters as needed.
Health Services Director Jotham Arber talked about plans to have a system of First Responders available throughout the county.
“The crux of what we’re trying to do is build on the system that we already have in place. We have Panora and Stuart and Bayard that are transporting services. We’re trying to come at it from a different angle. Instead of placing ambulances everywhere, which we know is very expensive, we’re trying to put first responders…on so that the response time for that initial crisis is being met,” Arber said. “Then, if it takes our ambulance 10 or 15 minutes, we’ve got someone out there who’s at least doing the basics.”
Supervisor Brian Johnson asked what role law enforcement will play in this plan.
“Great question,” Arber said. “Jesse Swensen is an EMT, so we’re going to bring him on the services with us, so he can have one of the first responder bags and equipment in his vehicle.”
Arber said law enforcement staff could be a great asset in this way.
“If we can incorporate them in our training, and get them in our system, that gives us one more vehicle that’s out there,” Arber said.
The supervisors meet regularly on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. The public is welcome to attend in person or via remote technology. To join remotely, call 323-792-6123, then use meeting code 547029216#.