What is emergency preparedness
Emergency Preparedness in Cherokee County combines a staff of four and volunteers who work to protect the health and safety of the community. Many hundreds of hours each year are spent training for and responding to emergency and disaster situations. We provide community education, aid businesses that have hazardous materials with emergency planning and reporting, as well as all-hazards planning and preparation. Cherokee County works with fire and police agencies in to form weather spotter in the event of severe weather. These spotters are certified through weather spotter classes instructed by the Springfield National Weather Service. Almost all County employees are trained in an emergency response function.
Why emergency preparedness?
Our emergency services (fire, law enforcement, EMS, etc.) and emergency support agencies (public works, public health, public information, etc.) know their specific jobs and do them well. On the surface, therefore, it might appear that the Emergency Preparedness function is unnecessary. Many disasters (Hurricane Andrew, LA Riots, Northridge Earthquake, etc.) have repeatedly shown that the biggest problems stem not from the inability of individual response agencies, but from a lack of overall coordination and of an ongoing preparedness program. Emergency Preparedness prepares for what we hope never happens and provides structure and coordination when it does.
How you can contact us
The Emergency Preparedness Department is located in the Courthouse, 110 W Maple, Columbus, Kansas 66725. Our office number is 620-429-1857. After hours leave a voice mail or for emergencies, contact us through the Sheriff's Office at 620-429-3992.
- Download: Cherokee County Emergency Preparedness