Northwest All-Hazards Emergency Management Region (NWAHEMR)

News & Updates

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Program Overview

September 11, 2001 has forever changed the manner in which disaster response is planned and delivered.  As a result of the terrorist attacks, Governor Bill Owens announced in August of 2002 the establishment of seven regions in Colorado to support the issues surrounding disaster preparedness and homeland security grant programs.  The seven regions were expanded to nine in an Executive Order issued by the Governor in July of 2003.  At that time, the Northwest All-Hazards Emergency Management Region (NWAHEMR), consisting of a ten counties located in the northwest corner of the state was established.  The ten counties included in the NWAHEMR include Eagle, Garfield, Grand, Jackson, Mesa, Moffat, Pitkin, Rio Blanco, Routt, and Summit counties.  An Executive Board/Steering Committee, made up of each county's emergency manager as well as discipline representatives, was created.  This steering committee meets on a regular basis to develop strategies to improve the preparedness of the region through the use of homeland security grant funds. NWCCOG provides fiscal management and program coordination for the NWAHEMR.

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Mission Statement

The Northwest All Hazards Emergency Management Region exists to promote and develop target capabilities that exceed the capacity and capability of public and private entities which will enhance the safety and well-being of all of its citizens.

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Vision Statement

The Northwest All Hazards Emergency Management Region will be a leader for efficient, capable, effective, and collaborative emergency response planning.

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In 2008...

Interoperable comunications were improved by providing radios/communications equipment to many agencies in the region. The main focus was to provide radios for all fire and law enforcement command level vehicles so that a basic level of 800 MHz DTR interoperability would be achieved throughout the region. Other agencies that received equipment were communications centers, ambulance services, clinics and all law enforcement agencies in one specific county.

The COOP (Continuity of Operations) plans were developed for each of the ten counties in the NWAHEMR.

Critical infrastructure, specifically some Emergency Operations Centers, in the region were improved.

NWAHEMR provided additional personal protective equipment for first responders and detection equipment for skilled response teams.

NWAHEMR moved forward with a new system for law enforcement information sharing.

Public works agencies throughout the NWAHEMR became involved in the planning process.

A 4-region West Slope Hazmat Exercise, focused on improving HazMat response and coordination, was conducted.

NNWAHEMR was awarded$944,385 for the 2008 Homeland Security and Citizen Corps Grant programs.